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+

Q: I’m the Varsity coxn on my team and I’ve been coxing for about a year now, but I do feel like I am taken advantage of at times by the older rowers, even when I assert myself and speak with authority.

Any suggestions on how I could let my rowers know I know what I’m doing even though I’m not as experienced?

Thanks!
Shannon

A:  Telling your rowers that you should be respected and that you know what you are talking about will not work.  You’ve got to show your rowers that you know what you are talking about.  You can do this by several ways. 

• When you say last 10 it better be–accuracy is crucial when you need to prove that you know what you are talking about.  That way your rowers will start to trust you.
• Participate in land workouts–when you can, join in on the runs, weights and even ergs.  That way when you say to work harder during practice they know that you do too and really mean it.  That way your rowers will start to trust you and respect you.
• Come early, leave late–take ownership in getting to practice, being ready for practice and leading practice.  Also make sure when you leave the boathouse the boats are clean, put away, slings are put away and the training facility is tidy.  That way your rowers will start to rely on you and trust you.
• Be consistent–steering, docking, counting, and delivering information in the boat.  The more consistent you can be the more your rowers will trust you. 
• Be willing to take feedback and change to what your rowers need.  That way your rowers will respect the fact that you listen to them and they will trust and respect you for it.

I hope you are getting the theme of your actions will be more effective than your words.  Earning the trust and respect of your rowers is not a given because you are sitting in that 9th seat.  You have to fill the role of the 9th seat accurately and respectfully and in return you start to earn the respect of the rowers filling their roles in their seats.  With this sport, patience is a great thing to have and use.  Be patient but work hard to learn your craft and the delivery of of your actions and words.  

Be a teammate first then a coxswain second,

mwhip+