Technique Critique Request

[LouisChiffre]

Hi,

Here is the second session of a 3x7'AT piece. It was done with a pace of 2:01@26 with a df of 65.



(I am still trying to increase the angle at the catch but it's not easy.)

I am posting this because I would appreciate your help on the the drive technique.
I noticed I don't separate the leg/back movements sufficiently (I pull the torso at the beginning of the drive).
Is it a big problem? and what kind of drill I can do to fix it?

[hjs]

It looks really smooth, but the stoke is to short, your heals should come off the footplate and your chest should come loser to your theighs. You now cut off the stroke and make it really short.
Drg 65 , is that correct, on a clean machine the lowest drag is not below 100.

[Citroen]

How tall are you? What's your inside leg measurement (in seam)? How much do you weigh? What size feet do you have?

I still think your feet aren't best positioned.
Also you seem to be doing a bit of "bum shoving" or "slide shooting" where the seat starts to move before the handle does.

[Cyclingman1]

I feel that you should be coming up the slide more so at the catch. I think you are overly concerned with the lower legs being vertical at the catch. Secondly, there is a weird double movement of the seat when recovering. I think that is due to a strict 1,2,3 sequencing of arms, back, legs on recovery. Some call for that. Others call for more simultaneous movement. Overall, the movement looks rather mechanical - not smooth. I wonder if it feels that way.

[LouisChiffre]

Thanks guys for the feedback.

@hjs I agree with you, the stroke look indeed short! A rate of 26 is too fast for me right now, and leaning back too much doesnt leave me much time. About the df, it's 65 on these fairly recent model E! at home, on my factory fresh model D it's 85, very strange. But it's consistent with the feeling I have.

@citroen, I am 180cm (5'11) for 93kg (205). Schoe size is 10.5 (US). Don't have something to measure the leg right now. Will do a short video when I row 1 min for each different foot position! I am still experimenting with it. And now that I look at the vid, I have the impression my feet should be lower.

@cyclingman1 I also noticed the double movement, it happens when I try to move the torso after clearing the hands passed the knee. It feels like my butt is switching it's point of contact with the seat. Definitely not optimal. Will try to limit that. (maybe by being less simulatenous)

[Citroen]

Thanks guys for the feedback.

@hjs I agree with you, the stroke look indeed short! A rate of 26 is too fast for me right now, and leaning back too much doesnt leave me much time. About the df, it's 65 on these fairly recent model E! at home, on my factory fresh model D it's 85, very strange. But it's consistent with the feeling I have.

@citroen, I am 180cm (5'11) for 93kg (205). Schoe size is 10.5 (US). Don't have something to measure the leg right now. Will do a short video when I row 1 min for each different foot position! I am still experimenting with it. And now that I look at the vid, I have the impression my feet should be lower.

@cyclingman1 I also noticed the double movement, it happens when I try to move the torso after clearing the hands passed the knee. It feels like my butt is switching it's point of contact with the seat. Definitely not optimal. Will try to limit that. (maybe by being less simulatenous)

Try getting the drag higher. The recommended initial setting from http://therowingcompany.com/training/guide/damper_lever is 130 for someone of your stature.

Your feet are around the same size as mine (Euro 44), I have the footplates with three holes showing. The general rules for a starting point are 1) get your ankle bone level with the rail and 2) get the strap over the natural bend in your trainers.

The stroke is legs - body - arms - hands away quickly - arms - body legs, big circle at the front, small circle at the back. The popular video that shows it best is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqVmMd7FdAA

[hjs]

Thanks guys for the feedback.

@hjs I agree with you, the stroke look indeed short! A rate of 26 is too fast for me right now, and leaning back too much doesnt leave me much time. About the df, it's 65 on these fairly recent model E! at home, on my factory fresh model D it's 85, very strange. But it's consistent with the feeling I have.

@citroen, I am 180cm (5'11) for 93kg (205). Schoe size is 10.5 (US). Don't have something to measure the leg right now. Will do a short video when I row 1 min for each different foot position! I am still experimenting with it. And now that I look at the vid, I have the impression my feet should be lower.

@cyclingman1 I also noticed the double movement, it happens when I try to move the torso after clearing the hands passed the knee. It feels like my butt is switching it's point of contact with the seat. Definitely not optimal. Will try to limit that. (maybe by being less simulatenous)

Your main problem is at the front, come off the heals and on the front of your feet. Also raise the drag below 100 is simply not suited for normal rowing. To make a comparison, you are trying to play tennis with a badminton shuttle.

Re feet, no they are fine, your upperbody needs to be more folded, the angle between your chest and thighs stays way to big, you need to fold up, to be able to unfold. You have a poor starting position to begin with and almost no drag to work against.

[LouisChiffre]

Thanks for the feedback guys. This is much appreciated. Feet placement is definitely a challenging topic, it looks like there is not set rule. I still plan to do some videos with different settings. You'll tell what's the best

Your main problem is at the front, come off the heals and on the front of your feet. Also raise the drag below 100 is simply not suited for normal rowing. To make a comparison, you are trying to play tennis with a badminton shuttle.

I like to erg with the lowest drag factor available because it's very gentle to my back. Is it detrimental for learning the proper techniques?

[Citroen]

I like to erg with the lowest drag factor available because it's very gentle to my back. Is it detrimental for learning the proper techniques?

Low drag needs faster legs. I think you should get it to 130 (maybe in steps so you can get used to the change). DF 95 is way too low.

[hjs]

Thanks for the feedback guys. This is much appreciated. Feet placement is definitely a challenging topic, it looks like there is not set rule. I still plan to do some videos with different settings. You'll tell what's the best

Your main problem is at the front, come off the heals and on the front of your feet. Also raise the drag below 100 is simply not suited for normal rowing. To make a comparison, you are trying to play tennis with a badminton shuttle.

I like to erg with the lowest drag factor available because it's very gentle to my back. Is it detrimental for learning the proper techniques?

If you have a weak back low drag is wise. But it is more difficult, try it out yourself, row a fixed pace and try different settings, the higher the drag the easier it is. With higher drag the stroke is much slower. Given a same pace.

[LouisChiffre]

@hjs and @citroen
Thanks for the feedback. I plan to increase gradually the df to the normal levels once my back is getting used to the load. Hopefully it will be ok for the 2k competition I plan to do in january