Many coxswains ask me how they can work on their skills during winter training…well this coxswain shows us how!  What I like about this picture is that I can tell she is supporting her teammate like crazy.  I feel like coxswains need to be engaged with their teammates goals and help them achieve their goals during winter training.

So the next time your team hops on the ergs, make sure you pay attention to their goal splits and learn how average splits on the erg work and how much they can be affected by the rowers during their workout.  And…don’t be afraid to hop on the erg yourself to learn how all the bells and whistles work with recalling your teammates scores.

Winter Training Plan:

• Know the workout and what the goal of the workout is
• Learn the rowers who want to receive encouragement and those who do not
• Learn how to set the drag factor on an erg, how to set the monitor for the workout, how to recall the memory to record the workout
• Know how your coach wants you to record the scores, know if you need to record the average split, time, meters, heart rate or wattage
• If there are too many coxswains to record then don’t be afraid to jump right in for the workout

Good luck and don’t be afraid to get your sweat on!

mwhip+

Q: Even though I make sure I’m constantly telling the rowers information like rate, position against boat/on river, and technical reminders I feel like i don’t have enough motivation techniques to get them past other boats. You wouldn’t happen to have any tips on creating motivations would you? I don’t want to end up saying the same phrase 10 times during a race. Thanks!! 

Laila

A:  I get asked this question all the time, “What do you say to really get your girls going?”  I’ll let you all in on a little secret…it doesn’t matter!!!!  I cannot tell you the phrases that are going to get your rowers motivated because I don’t know your rowers.  

So when I’m sitting in the coxswain seat and need to pull out some motivational phrases I…

• Think about what you would want to hear if you were in a world of pain and needed encouragement to finish the workout.
• What are your team goals?
• What are the goals of the workout?
• What are the personal goals of your rowers?
• Do you have a race coming up?  If so start calling seats off of your upcoming competitors boat.  Make scenarios of walking through your rivals boat.  
• Are there any practices that you all talk about because it was so good.  Remind them of that memory during the workout.
• Use inside jokes.

There are many ways to motivate and that is the beauty of our position.  We have to find ways to trigger emotions from our rowers.  With any motivational phrase you choose it has to be delivered in a believable way.  Coxswains have to sell the phrase and make rowers believe their words.  So keep your ears open and listen to the ways your rowers motivate each other.  Be their teammate and be there when they need that extra push.  Choose wisely but believe in your words and deliver with passion.  

Good luck!

mwhip+