1. Max Heron with additionals from Nick Francis
Coaching Technique
Alex Henshilwood
ERRC Conference
24 November 2013
Max Heron with additionals from Nick Francis

2. 3 elements Physiology Psychology Technique – approach in this order
Training
Psychology
Are you someone that people want to row with?
Technique – approach in this order
Matching-up (everyone doing the same? Find a model?)
Length – at catch and finish
Power – how and when applied – watch end of handle
Explain “What – How – Why” especially why coach asks crew to do something

3. Finish Watch the blade handle movement
Avoid square blade rowing especially at the finish – tend to pull down and miss some finish – see diagrams. Especially notable if do square blade transition for warm up – boat is too slow and athletes “heave” the blade down into lap.
Avoid stroke build up at square blades
Feather close to the water . Useful drill is arms only (and then extend) but leave blade flat on water immediately after extraction. Do not tap down and then return blade to river. “Skilful” hands not fast hands. Take blade out of back of puddle. Let blade just pop out.
“Away and down” rather than “down and away”!
Theoretical
Actually miss the finish
Ideal – path handle follows shape of bow of boat

4. Recovery Must flow throughout Avoid separation of the movements
eg avoid “hands; body; slide” with pauses. Creates multiple speeds so slows boat – ie body cannot move as fast as hands can, legs are different again.
Consistent handle speed throughout
Set the speed of recovery as early as possible
Maintain consistent speed throughout (see above)

5. Catch Comfortable; compressed; strong position; rotation
Check inside arm is bent (or shoulder parallel with handle but few can manage that)
Coach catch from the finish
Use pictures of good crews
Tummy on thighs rather than chest on knees
Avoid separation
Don’t square too late!
Early squaring can lead to high catches. All that matters is getting in crisply and applying power fast.