Learning new things as an adult is not the same as when we were younger.
With any endeavour, there is a progressive of acquisition of skill and I like to think of this as a ladder of learning - you start on the bottom rung and work your way up.
This metaphor is helpful for coaches as well as athletes. Because if you can work out where you are, it becomes clear where the next step is and the next skill you need to acquire. This makes coaching lesson plans easy - it's obvious what to teach next and this applies to self-coaching as well.
Assess your skill
You can work out for yourself where your rowing and sculling skills are using our Rowing Skills Checklists. There are 3 - Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced.
Within each are groups of skills around
- Launching / returning
- Rowing skills
- Rigging
- Coaching / leadership
- Safety
Each checklist sets out things which you should be able to do if you are moving towards that skill level. The beginner level includes turning the boat and being able to follow your local navigation pattern; intermediates should be able to row or scull with the oars not touching the water on the recovery and having experience in small and big boats.
These are flexible checklists - you don't have to do every beginner skill before you start attacking the intermediate ones. In my experience as a coach, most athletes have to master the basics before advancing.
Use these lists for your club by adding in your local navigation rules, information about other water users (e.g. if you are on salt water or a tidal river) and local "conventions" in navigation. Some clubs use these to test skill before an athlete can move into a training group or take a single out unaccompanied.
Download the Masters Rowing Skills Checklist
How to use the skills checklist.
Do a quick self-assessment and decide whether you are mostly a beginner, an intermediate or an advanced rower. Understand this by reading all the skills and marking any which you can do (or have done more than twice).
Take this list to your coach and ask them to teach you the skills to fill in the gaps in your knowledge.
In this way you can be pro-active about your rowing development with the goal of becoming a well-rounded athlete and a strong team member.
Want to learn more?
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More resources
- 9 essential drills - [podcast 28 minutes]
- Coach Mastermind Group - [Joining gift is 3 skills checklists]
- Full Skills Checklist - Get 3 detailed lists from the Coach Mastermind group joining bonus
- Coach Certification - learn how to coach older athletes using the ladder of learning among other things! - [8 hours learning + Qualification Certificate]
