The Technique of Rowing

Catch - The point where the legs are compressed in a 90 degree angle, the arms are stretched out, the body is angled forward and the blade is enters the water. Drive - the part of the stroke where the legs are pressing down, then the back and arms swing backward, sending the body to the bow. Finish - the point where the rower pushes down on the handle of the oar to pop the blade out of the water and begins to push the arms out of the bow. Recovery - the time spent winding the body back up to the catch, it is like compressing a spring; first the arms extend, then the body angle is achieved, finally the legs are pulled up to the catch. Square blades - keeping the blade perpendicular to the water on the recovery. Feathered blades - keeping the blade parallel to the water on the recovery. Crab - an unfortunate incident when the blade gets caught in the water and the handle of the oar hits the midsection of the rower; can result in getting tossed out of the boat. It is caused by the blade not entering into the water fully square, when pressure is applied to the blade it will just go deeper and deeper in the water. Technique Phases of Stroke 1. Preparation It is important that the athlete utilizes his total height in a natural position and that he does not push his shoulders ahead too far assuming an unnaturally forced position. The angle of the body (approximately 45 degrees) allows the adequate use of the slide and is ideal for the transmission of the leg force to the stroke 2.Entry and First Half of the Drive During the entry the body weight is transmitted to the foot- stretcher using the force of the legs; this is especially noticeable in this first phase of the stroke. At the same time, the athlete is actively utilizing the other body muscles to produce efficient work in the water  3.Finish of the Drive In relation to the muscular force, the first half of the drive is relying primarily on the legs. Further in the drive, the back muscles enter into action and, towards the end, the shoulders and the arms. It is important that the body weight is utilized at all times and that the work is transmitted to the oars.  4.Finish and Release As described for figure 5, the shoulders and the arms close the drive. During this part of the stroke it is important to always keep the body weight behind the oars to achieve the maximum effect at the finish of the stroke. 5.First Half of the Recovery In the recovery, it is necessary to think that the hands are direct- ing the movement by quickly and fluidly pushing the oars away from the body after the release. 6. Second Half of the Recovery While the hands continue to advance, the upper body starts fluid- ly to lean forward until it reaches the correct position of the entry (45 degrees). When the arms are extended and the upper body is in the entry position, the athlete starts moving the seat forward to initiate the new stroke.