Steady State Practice Coxswain Recording

I'm not usually the coxswain for this boat, but I jumped in for today. This is just a steady state swing row after some seat racing earlier in the morning, so I have a lot of authority and the ability to adjust the workout and throw in some drills. What I noticed and focused on through most of my coxing was collectively rowing the blades in and holding the release. Now debatably there's nothing wrong with holding the release, however I happen to know the coach's preference for keeping the hands moving, and I also noticed that the rhythm was being disproportionately effected which actually created rush. Prior to turning on my gopro, I made a ratio call, which is when I noticed that in order to slow the slide, everyone would hold the finish a little too long rather than make the adjustment through the entire slide. Instead, I instructed them to smoothly move the hands away, and try to slow the rest of the slide, particularly the top quarter, or the last 6 inches of the recovery before the catch.
That melded into my other focus later in the row which was to slow those last 6 inches, but place the blade in the water as part of the recovery, rather than part of the drive. In this way, the catches get more direct, and they are fully buried before the rowers begin to engage the drive. I spent a lot of time on those two things, reminding them in different ways and explaining why and how that will help them. As a coxswain, I was trying to keep them focused, and make a change in the rhythm of the boat, without overwhelming them with too many changes and adjustments.
You can also see at 7:40 or so when I make an unclear call how it becomes confusing for the rowers to interpret. Normally I would have clarified at the first pause if I want it every stroke or every other, but for my own distraction and rustiness I don't clarify it until the next stroke. If this happens, just make yourself clear, and try to make sure to give clear instructions for switches or pauses etc.

[@nathanberkowitz]

Thanks for posting this

[@bess_e2186]

Great communication on the changes