Vineland High School Crew
Coxswain's Manual
Spring ‘08
Contents:
How to be a Good Coxswain Pg.
3
Duties of a Coxswain Pg.
4
Steering Pg.
4
Safe Management of Crew and Equipment Pg. 5
Giving Commands Pg.
5
Enthusiasm and Motivation Pg.
5
Technical Corrections and Advice Pg. 5
Moving a
Boat Pg.
6
Practice Pg.
7
Working
with your Coach Pg.
7
Common
Drills Pg.
8
Coxswain's Tools and Equipment Pg.
8
Racing Pg.
9
Sprint Racing Pg.
9
Head Racing Pg.
10
Advice for a New Coxswain Pg.
11
Coxswains are in some ways the most important
members of a crew. They are the individual
responsible for the steering of the shell and also giving commands to the
rowers in order to facilitate the safe and efficient operation of the crew as a
unit. The coxswain is the leader of the crew while on the water, and we expect
our coxswains to be leaders off the water as well. The coxswain is an integral part of the crew,
and can have a large effect on the success of the crew. Unprepared coxswains have played a large part
in many races lost, and on the contrary, races can and have been won with the
help of well-prepared ones.
The
qualities a good coxswain will possess are confidence, intelligence, positive
attitude, the ability to think ahead, and the ability to understand and follow
through on instructions. Other things
that will help a coxswain improve over time is their willingness to seek out
advise from rowers, coaches, and other coxswains, and adapt themselves to
better interact with their crews. Just
as the rowers are constantly trying to improve themselves, a coxswain must also
be continually looking or ways to get better at what they do.
How to be a good Coxswain:
Learn from other coxswains
Other
coxswains can be a very good resource. Chances are other coxswains in your
program will know something about the role. Talk to them, watch them. If they
don’t mind ask them to make a recording or a race or even a practice. If you
have the chance, go to a camp or a coxswain clinic. The more knowledge and
experience you have, chances are the better you'll become.
Learn how to row
One of the
most important things that one must do if they are to master the art is to
learn how to row. Don’t just watch videos or other people row. Jump in the boat
and do it! If you can’t row yourself, your abilities will be limited. You could
know the correct technique, and everything there is to know, but it’s not the
same as actually doing it. Physically taking strokes on the water will help you
to better understand the movements involved which will help you in correcting
the oarsmen with their strokes.
Motivational skills
You must
be able to motivate your crew. During the last 200 meters of a race when your
boat is right next to your opponent, you have to say the right things to get
your crew rowing to their fullest, giving it all they have. Your words have the
power to make them pull ahead. This also holds true for the entire race. Tell
your crew where they are in the race, “500m left to go, pick it up for a ten!”
Tell them where other boats are, “Our bow is on their stern, let’s hit it with
the legs and walk up on them!”
Develop
your own style and ask your crew what motivates them. There is no one simple
“magic call” which will make a boat move faster. All crews respond to different
things. What works for one boat may not work for another. You should develop a
broad base of knowledge so that you can put together the right thing to say at
the right time. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, sometimes calls just don’t
work. Learn from your mistakes.
Earn respect
As a
coxswain you have responsibility. Don’t go on a “power trip”. Don't let yourself sound bossy, or your crew
will immediately tune you out. Learn how
to work with the other members of your team. If your crew respects you and
trusts you, you will have a much better experience and will be more likely to win. It's not about you telling them what to do,
it's about you helping them get the most out of their boat. Ask others how you come across, and be
willing to accept their answers.
Know your crew
Know the
names of every oarsmen in your boat. Don’t just use their number when talking
to them. Sometimes rowers forget where they are sitting. During a race they
will respond better to their own name rather than to a number. Also, try to
build a relationship with the rowers on your boat. It’s a big plus if your
rowers like you.
Personality and Style
Personality
is an important issue. Oarsmen tend to like it if their coxswain has a
personality. Be able to be serious but have a sense of humor at the same time.
Style is another important part. Style is what you say and how you say it. Some
coxswains like to verbally attack their opponents during a race. Some are able
to stay calm the whole race, but still have the control and burning desire. And
some are true motivational masters. Style is up to you. Find what works with
your crew.
Duties of a coxswain,
in order of importance:
1.
Steering
2.
Safe Management of Crew and Equipment
3.
Giving Commands
4.
Enthusiasm and Motivation
5. Technical Corrections and Advice
Steering
Sit still and upright in the seat,
bracing the feet against the stretcher; not only is it detrimental to the set
if the cox is not braced, but the beginning of each stroke will slam your back
into the rear of the seat. Hold the
rudder lines lightly in the V between thumb and forefinger.
Move the rudder line away from you on the side to which you want to steer. To steer right, push your right hand forward,
to steer left, push your left hand forward.
Since a shell slides through the water, the shell
will continue to swing after the rudder has stopped being used. Therefore, slightly under-steer from your
final target. It is vital to anticipate
the beginning and end of a corner, or a correction, otherwise the turn will
have to be counteracted, and the boat will "fishtail" down the
course.
When steering a straight line, the cox will find it
easiest if he/she aims at some distant object.
This is called steering by a point.
Use SMALL CORRECTIONS as soon
as the bow strays from this point, rather than making big corrections later.
Steer with your crew whenever possible
by adjusting port and starboard pressure.
Remember, there is a "blind spot" directly
in from of the boat. Be constantly
scanning the water in front of your boat for obstacles or debris in the water,
and other shells. If necessary, slightly lean over to one side to view
directly in front of your bow.
Safe
Management of Crew and Equipment
The underlying goal of any program
is 100% safety of both crew and equipment.
To accomplish this the cox must be in control of both the boat and the
crew at all times. The cox should have a
complete 360º awareness of the immediate vicinity on land and on the
water. This requires keen observation
and a great deal of forethought.
Additionally, the coxswain must be
able to maintain the focus of the crew.
Talking in the boat, joking around, unnecessary movement, and
spacing-out will be highly disruptive to practice and cannot be tolerated. It
is the job of the cox to keep their crew in line and with their heads in the
boat.
Giving
Commands
When calling commands, it must be done clearly and
confidently, and with a definite cadence. And you
must know what you're going to say before you say it. REMEMBER, the crew has their hands full
trying to row or carry the boat; they do not have time to interpret your
commands. You want to make it as
easy as possible for them to understand and do what you want.
Each time you give a command, you are telling the
crew firstly, what they are going to do, secondly, when to do it, and finally,
to actually execute the command.
Examples are: "Weight enough in two. One, two, weigh enough," and "
"Hands on. Up an inch, ready,
up." Each of these commands should
be given with a definite rhythm, or pace (cadence), so the crew can easily
predict when to execute.
On land the coxswain will use
"ready" or "and" to tell the crews when to move ("Roll
to waist, ready, roll." "Up and over heads, and, up.") On the
water, the cox will generally give two strokes prep
time, calling the cadences at the Stroke's catch. ("Add bow pair in two. One, two, bow pair in.")
Enthusiasm
and Motivation
Always be
POSITIVE and ENTHUSIASTIC with your crew, you want them to improve and have
fun. Listen to how you're talking to
them. Are you too bossy, too
authoritative? Or the opposite—too
quiet, too relaxed and unpredictable?
Striking a good balance between too harsh and too nice takes a bit of
practice, but is essential for the coxswain's relationship with the crew.
If you're giving
critique, it will be much more readily accepted if it is phrased in a positive
manner. Avoid words like "don't"
and "stop" or generally telling them what not to do, but instead give them positive suggestions on how to do
things correctly.
Sometimes,
believe it or not, the coxswain's job is to lie, if only just a little. If your boat is being walked through by a
boat two lanes over, don't give them updates on how fast you're falling
behind. You must keep your crew from
losing hope, even if it means lying about gaining seats back.
Technical
Corrections and Advice to Rowers
There is a
tremendous amount of information a knowledgeable coxswain can see and feel from
the cox seat. Blades moving in perfect
unison, both in drive and recovery speed as well as height, roll ups, clean
catches and releases with appropriate puddles are all hallmarks of good rowing
and can be clearly seen from the stern.
Likewise, variations in these motions are much like symptoms, indicating
to the trained eye what the body is doing incorrectly. Additionally, the feel of how the boat lifts
at the catch and runs at the release gives the coxswain, who is not in constant
motion, a unique ability within the boat to diagnose the power performance.
Reminding rowers
of problem areas can be a good thing if done appropriately, but it is very easy
for a coxswain to fall into the roll of coach.
This should be avoided for a number of reasons, not the least of which
is that it can be extremely irritating for the rower and coach alike. Constant or often repeated reminders will
cause the rower to tune you out, and will distract the crew. Reminders about anything the coach is not
actively working on will also be disruptive to the practice. Talking while the coach is talking is grounds
for losing your boat.
Notice this
section was last on the list of
coxswain duties. If the cox is
knowledgeable enough and familiar enough with the crew, or if the coach has
asked specifically for them to remind the crew on these points, then it is
appropriate to give advice. Otherwise,
be very cautious about how you work with your crew.
Moving a Boat
A
boat is most susceptible to damage when it is moving on land, either in the
hands of the rowers or on the trailer.
DO EVERYTHING IN YOUR POWER TO KEEP YOUR BOAT SAFE on the way to the
water. If you hit the boathouse door
with the riggers, knock off the skeg on the dock, or damage the boat in any
other negligible manner, the boat will be racked and you and your crew will
run. If the boat is reparable, you might
be able to row in it the next day.
Proper calls to the water:
Make sure your crew is balanced bow and
stern BY HEIGHT, and arranged at the first two and last two (bow and 2, 7 and
stroke) riggers.
Call as follows:
·
"Hands On"
Crew grabs gunnels and is ready to lift. NO TALKING FROM HANDS ON.
·
"Up an inch, and, up." In unison, raise the boat only enough to
clear it from the rack.
·
"Walk it out slow"
·
"Up and over heads.
Ready, UP"
·
"Face the stern/bow."
·
"Split to the shoulders from stern/bow. Ready, split."
·
Before the boat moves forward call out "heads
up!"
·
"Walk it forward"
Make sure the riggers will clear both sides of the bay door.
·
Depending on which side of the dock you'll be launching
from take the stern to the left or right to align the boat for a clean approach
to the dock. BE VERY AWARE OF THE BOW
AND STERN AT THIS POINT. KEEP A CONSTANT
EYE.
·
"Up and over heads.
Ready, UP" Overheads down
the ramp
·
Proceed with the boat onto the dock, sending the front four
left or right. When in position call
"weigh enough" and stand ready by the skeg.
·
It is important
to perform the following commands in as fluidly and quickly as possible:
·
"Toe the edge"
·
"Roll to the waist.
Press it out. And down."
Make sure they lean out over the water, and have a hand on the
stern to make sure the skeg clears.
On the dock:
The aim is to get the boat launched as quickly as possible in less
than two minutes. The line up is to be
set before "hands on." There
is to be minimal talking; no chit chat.
Call one side to oars, the other to locks. If time and traffic permits, adjust
stretchers if necessary. It may be
necessary to make adjustments on the water.
·
"Countdown from bow when ready."
·
"Extend port oars.
One foot in, and down. Tie in,
and count down. Check
riggers."
·
"Lean away.
Push off in two. One, two, push
off."
Docking:
APPROACH THE
DOCK SLOWLY
As you approach the dock have the bow 4 (or 2 in a 4+) drop out
and set. Then drop out 5&6. Then go to arms and back, and finally arms
only with stern pair. The idea being to
slow the boat down but still keep it moving.
Approach the dock from upstream at a 15˚ angle. A your bow nears the dock have the stern pair
weigh enough, apply a little left rudder, have the starboards raise their oars
and have the crew lean away.
Call as follows:
·
“Untie and count down.”
·
“On foot on the dock, one on the strip. And up.”
·
Call on side to oars, the other to locks. The
idea here is that oar handlers get their shoes while the locks are being
loosened, then the remaining crew can get their shoes while the oars are
heading up. This is crucial for
efficiency in removing the boat from the dock.
·
Again stand by the skeg, calling the next segment quickly:
·
"Hands on. Up
to waist, ready, UP. UP and over heads,
ready, UP. Turn and face the bow /stern.
Walk it up.”
·
As you reach the top of the ramp: "Split to shoulders
from bow/stern, ready, split."
Eights go in stern first, fours bow
first. Again be careful of the riggers
on the bay doors. Once on the racks,
have four wipe it down and four get oars.
Practice
Practice
is a very important time used for developing the technique and ultimately the
speed of a crew. Practice is the most important time for the coxswain to act as
a leader in the boat. Practice is the time where all the kinks in the rowers’
technique can be ironed out. The coxswain must aid in this progressive environment
by setting a positive and focused tone for the practice. Once the crew gets
“hands on” and hits the water, everything is serious. The crew must use their
time wisely and not waste it. Wasted time in practice could mean lost seconds
during a race.
Most
programs have coaches who are on the water with the crews providing
instruction. The coxswain should listen to the coach. The coach will tell the
coxswain what the workout will be, so he should pay attention, for coaches
don’t like to say things more than once. If the coxswain needs the coach to
repeat something he should just ask. It is better to have the coach repeat his
directions then for a coxswain to begin a workout when he does not know what he
should be doing. The coxswain should just not make a habit of asking the coach
to repeat himself. The coach will also provide feedback to the rowers while on
the water. The coxswain should listen to what the coach tells each of the
rowers and watch their oars so he can learn more about how to fix certain technique
issues. While the coach is talking to the crew, whether to provide workout
instructions or technical feedback, it is a good idea for the coxswain to
remain silent, so the instructions of the coach can be heard.
If there
are multiple crews on the water working with the same coach, the coxswains of
each crew should work to keep the boats close together, unless instructed
otherwise. If one boat gets ahead, the coxswain of that crew should tell his
crew to ease up on the pressure, slow down the stroke rate, or even add a pause
in the stroke. For crews that are behind, the coxswain should have the crew
increase the pressure, or increase the rate.
Working with your
Coach
It
is vitally important that a coxswain knows what the coach wants from both they
and the crew. Make sure you know the
workout for the practice, or the race plan at the regatta. You will be expected to know these things,
have them written in your notepad, and be able to execute them without
necessarily having the coach present.
Whenever
the coach is along side working with the boat, it is important that you are
listening to what he/she is saying.
You'll need to know what the focus is and what the problems are to
assist the crew. Whenever a coach
addresses you specifically, you should always
raise your hand as an indication that you heard them. (This is also the case when an official
addresses you at a regatta..)
Additionally, whenever the coach is speaking YOU MUST REMIAN SILENT. If
both of you are talking, the crew will hear nothing at all.
If it is
an emergency situation and you have to interrupt the coach, raise you hand and
give the necessary commands. A coach
doesn't always see everything you see, and will respect your judgement if the
safety of the crew and craft are at stake.
Common Drills:
Pick Drill: Most common
drill, used every row as a warm-up. Half
boat setting, half drilling. All square
blade: quick pick- arms only, swing
pick- arms and back, 1/4 slide, 1/2 slide, 3/4 slide, full slide, then add the
feather. Allows crew to focus on the
individual elements of the stroke.
Inverted Pick
Drill: Legs only, moving to legs and back, then legs back and arms (full
stroke). Emphasizes proper drive
sequence and good front-end suspension.
Outside arm
only: Rowing with the inside arm
behind the back, blade squared. Focuses
on the leverage of the outside arm, drawing of the blade into the body, and
control of handle height during recovery.
Helps the set throughout as well as catch and finish precision.
Wide grip: Generally done
on the square, but not necessary. Inside
hand moves toward the oarlock, holing the oar on the carbon-fiber shaft. Forces good lean around the pin, proper pivot
towards the rigger, lower inside shoulder.
Pause drills: One- or two-pause drills every ‘x’ strokes,
pausing at various positions, depending on the portion of the recovery needing
the most attention; finish, arms away, body prep, 1/4 slide, 1/2 slide. Works set, timing, and slide control.
Cut the cake: Blades feather and recover to either hands
away, body prep, 1/4 slide, or 1/2 slide before returning to the finish a
second time, then continuing to normal recovery—blade height remains
constant. This will help with all
aspects of the set being off, as well as working quick hands away, stroke
length, and rate.
Eyes closed: Continuous rowing with eyes closed (rowers
only). Forces crew to listen for slide
and catch timing, and to feel the body positioning. Helps timing, slide rush, catch, and lean
problems.
Coxswain's Tools and
Equipment
The
most important piece of equipment used by the coxswain, other than the boat
itself, is the Cox Box. This is a
compact and sophisticated (and expensive) electronic device which gives the cox
various readings in the boats, most commonly strokes-per-minute (spm) and the
clock.
The
Cox Box should be treated with extreme care because there are a limited number
of them belonging to the club, and they are relatively fragile if handled
improperly. Always carry the CB by the
attached handle— NEVER CARRY IT BY THE HEADSET WIRE. Also, be careful when plugging the unit into
either the boat or the recharger. The connection pins bend easily if they are
not aligned properly.
Any
self-respecting coxswain will own a watch with a stop-watch function.
Coxswains
should also carry with them a small bag
of tools including:
-A
7/16" wrench
-An
adjustable wrench which opens up to 3/4"
-A
phillips screwdriver
-A
roll of electrical tape
-A roll of
athletic tape
-Some
Band-aids
-A small
bag of spare parts ( 7/16 nuts, washers, rigger spacers.
-A whistle
(3 short burst is a universal call for help)
-A
notepad with a pen or pencil for writing down daily line-ups and workouts, and
a ziplock baggie to keep these things dry in the boat.
Racing
Racing is the
test of all that has been learned in practice. Before the race itself, the crew
will have to row to the starting line. The crew will use this time to warm-up
for the race. In other words they will get their bodies ready to perform. A
warm-up will usually consist of brief technical work and then end with short,
full pressure pieces. During the warm-up, the coxswain should maintain a
positive and calm atmosphere in the boat. The rowers may be nervous and it is
up to the coxswain, no matter how nervous he himself may be, to calm the crew.
Before the race is not the time to add anything new or to try and fix problems
which were unable to be fixed in practice. The crew must focus on doing the
best they can with what they have and should not expect any major changes or
improvements just moments before the race. Attempting to fix too much on race
day can have a negative effect on the performance of the crew.
Sprint Racing
Sprint
races are the type of racing which take place during the spring and summer
months. The distance of these races is 2000 meters for college and elite
rowing, 1500 meters for high school rowing, and 1000 meters for masters rowing.
Each race can have between two and six crews racing at the same time. The crews
start even with each other. Each crew is
assigned their own lane which they must stay in the entire race. Some sprint
races may make use of a starting platform where a person holds the stern of the
boat in place and makes certain each crew is
aligned.
The Start
The
coxswain must line the crew up on the line when their event is called for. If
the boat must be backed into a starting dock , the coxswain should do so
carefully and slowly!
If not
pointed correctly down the course once on the line, the coxswain should raise
his hand until he is straightened out, then lower it. The coxswain should have
bow or 2 seat row shortened strokes (ie. arms only) to straighten the boat.
Full strokes are not advised, especially if on a starting dock, full strokes
make it very difficult for the person holding the stern to hold on. When using
a stake dock, it is advised to have either 2 row with 1’s oar or 3 row with 2’s
oar to straighten the boat. This is called “pinching it” sometimes it’s also
called “sculling it”.
If there
is no stakedock, the official will give commands to the boats racing in order
to get them aligned. If the official says “touch it up stern pair”, the crew
should row lightly 7 & 8 . If the official says, “check it down”, the crew
should angle the oars into the water to slow the boat’s forward movement.
When the
official asks the crew if they are ready, the coxswain should raise his hand
briefly and have the crew sit ready to row.
Sprint
races are started by an official who will give starting commands to the crews.
Most sprint races begin with either a countdown start or a two command start.
An example of a countdown start is “5...4...3...2...1...ATTENTION! ROW!” A two command start would just be “ATTENTION!
ROW!”
The Body
Sprint
races are a straight shot from the starting line to the finish line. Coxswains
should steer as straight as possible.
What
commands should one use in a sprint race? There are some very basic commands
like calling the racing start, calling power 10’s, and calling the sprint. All
coxswains should know these commands before racing. Besides these basic
commands a coxswain should be able to motivate the crew. The coxswain should
tell them where they are in a race, “300 meters left”. Tell them where the
competition is, “We’re even with our opponent, let’s take a 10 to walk through
‘em.” The coxswain should give encouragement to the rowers, tell them that they
can do it. It is important the coxswain stay positive. The coxswain should also
try to stay relaxed, yet confident and aggressive. Sometimes if a coxswain goes
wild and starts to yell like a madman, especially in inexperienced crews, the
crew can get overexcited and lose control which can slow the boat down. Keep
that wild fire saved away for when the crew gets experienced, it can work
wonders then.
The Finish
The finish
is a very important part of a race, especially in a very close race. During the
last 500 meters, the crew’s power will be used up. All that will be pulling
them through is technique. It is the job of the coxswain to make sure that they
have that technique. The coxswain should remind them to sit-up, breathe, relax,
and to keep rowing full strokes.
A very
important part of the finish is the sprint. Many races have been lost by boat
that had the lead for the whole body of the race because a boat behind them had
a better sprint. Sprints are fast and the rowers must give everything that they
have. They should push themselves past their limits. All that matters is
getting over the line first. The coxswain should make sure that the boat is
together and at the same rate. Inexperienced crews can fall apart very easily
during the final sprint.
After the
race, congratulate the winner (if it’s not you), and thank the losers for a
good race.
Head Racing
Head races
are usually 3 miles and contain turns. They are more of a challenge for a
coxswain’s steering abilities. Coxswains have to steer the shortest course
possible. Coxswains should watch for obstacles, other boats, and they should
pay attention to their course.
The Start
Head races
begin with a rowing start. The boats are lined up in order of their bow numbers
(numbers assigned to each crew before the race begins). There is usually about
a
10 second space between each boat’s
start.
As the
crew approaches the line they should be rowing with all oarsmen. The coxswain
should have them build up to full pressure at race pace, the referee will then
tell the crew when they cross the line.
The Body
Unlike
sprint races, there is no sure way to tell how good a boat is doing. The
coxswain and oarsmen should be concerned if a boat closes in from behind. This
means they are faster. If a boat is passing, the coxswain should steer out of
their way. The objective of most crews during a head race is to pass other
boats.
Technique
is more of an issue in head races. The coxswain most likely will have up to 15
minutes or more to talk during the race. He must make sure that he reminds the
oarsmen about their technique. Technique is very important during a head race.
The
coxswain should also not forget to motivate the crew during head races, this is
very important. The coxswain does not have to talk the whole race. If
everything is going well and he doesn’t have anything to say, he should keep
quiet. Silence can help the oarsmen focus and feel what the boat is doing.
Silence can be very valuable. The coxswain should just make sure that he does
talk when needed. He shouldn’t let a severe problem with an oarsman’s technique
go unnoticed, he’ll regret it when he find out he lost the race.
The Finish
Sprint.
This is very important. A good sprint at the end of a race can shave seconds
off a crew’s time.
Advice for a New
Coxswain