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+

Got a question from a coxswain asking about buoyed courses…

Q: I was wondering, when steering buoyed 2k courses, do you use really distant points or the buoys? It’s kinda hard to see that far…

A:  Exactly, it is far to see down to the finish line of a 2k course.  That is why when I steer a buoyed course, I make sure the two buoy lines are going symmetrically into the rowers’ heads or necks depending on how tall you sit in the seat.  I also make sure to keep equal distance on both the port side and starboard side blades by using my peripheral vision.  That way you can use your forward point and lateral point together to make sure that your are physically in the center of the lane and cruising parallel to both buoy lines.  Using one absolute point in the distance without using the buoy lines as well will cause you to not be aware of where you physically are in the lane.  That probably will result in you driving-by-braille and hitting too many buoys or swerving too much to avoid the buoy line.  

Multiple bow points and lateral points will help you become more aware of where you need to be in the lane.

Steer straight!!

mwhip+

Racing season is upon us and the long winter training months are finished.  Bring on the Spring and bring on the racing.  The start of a race for me is the most fun because as coxswains, we don’t get to see the flag drop.  By the time we hear the official saying, “Go,” the rowers are already in motion if your stroke has done her/his job right and gone on the flag and not the voice.

The start can also be very nerve racking at big races that are six boats across with stake boats.  I thought I would share my tips for backing into the stake boats so when the most important races with the highest stress comes your way you will be able to handle the situation.

• When pulling into your lane make sure to not let it run no more than two to three boat lengths away from the stake boat. Backing more than that length can be tedious for your rowers and makes it harder for you to steer your boat.
• Notice if there is any wind that will cause your boat to blow too far to port or starboard.
• Visualize and practice in your head what rower will have to scull the boat to port or starboard.  This way you can make your calls quick and  have them sound confident.
• Once locked on call the rowers by name if you need to have, “Two scull bow.” By saying your two seats name you should get a faster reaction.
• For stronger wind at the start you may need to have two rowers on the same side scull.  ”two scull bow and four scull three.”

These tips are just the starting point to backing your boat into stake boats.  Do not underestimate visualizing in your head and figuring out who needs to grab whose oar so that when you need your bow point corrected it is done in a calm and efficient manor. And most importantly raise your hand and have your bow person raise their hand when making all of these corrections.

Good luck…

Steer Straight!

–mwhip