When I published the pause drills video I got some great questions from Dale W. First watch the video in which I explain 3 pause drills and how they help your rowing and sculling stroke.
Feedback from a masters rower
Dale writes
I like that you say you go through each of the pause positions several times when taking the continuous strokes so it’s good for practicing position.
I like that you talk succinctly about what you’re doing and don’t use a lot of filler about non-relevant stuff. Thanks
Dale W, Faster Master Rower
Here are my answers to Dale’s questions
- Why do you use ‘finish’ instead of ‘release’? I think this is British English versus US English usage.
- if one is pausing at the release with the blades on the water – does that mean they’re feathering straight out of the water instead of releasing square and then feathering? – which would put the blade in the air at the pause and the hands slightly in front of the body? Correct. the point of pausing with blades on the water is that it’s NOT the correct sequence – BUT it teaches people to finish the handles at the correct height and emphasises the elbow position. Too many folks finish with handles down in their lap and the oars drift out of the water rather than a defined movement.
- Does feathering involve the fingers/hands/wrists/elbows? Watch this video
- What should things feel like at each of these positions? I can’t answer that you have to experience it.
- When the arms are paused away, are the shoulder blades released or kept in place until the body pivots? Kept in place.
- When moving the body over, do the hips move or just the body? Hips move
- Does one do 100% of each position before doing the next motion while continuously rowing or is it just for drills? EXCEPT for the pause with blades on the water, you do 100% of each position before doing the next motion.
- When does one roll up? Early enough to be ready for the placement into the water
- Are the feet doing anything? Pressing into the foot stretcher through the soles.
- I like that you talk about how people can check their positions at each pause – what should one be checking? Watch carefully I explain each position you’re checking that you ARE in that position.
