Coaching Language Guide
Effective Communication
How you communicate technical concepts can be as important as what you communicate. This guide provides effective terminology, metaphors, and communication strategies to help new scullers understand and apply proper technique.
- Be concise - Use short, clear phrases that can be processed quickly
- Be consistent - Use the same terminology for the same concepts
- Be specific - Target exact body parts and movements
- Be positive - Frame instructions as what TO do rather than what NOT to do
- Be visual - Use metaphors and imagery that create clear mental pictures
- Be patient - Allow time for processing and questions
Example: Instead of saying "Don't rush the slide," say "Slow the recovery - hands away, rock, then slide."
Basic Positions
- Catch - Position at the front of the stroke when the blade enters the water
- Drive - Power phase of the stroke when the rower is pushing with the legs
- Finish - Position at the end of the stroke when the blade exits the water
- Recovery - Return phase from finish back to catch
Body Positions
- Body angle - Forward lean from the hips
- Layback - Degree of backward lean at finish
- Compression - Degree of leg bend at catch
- Square - Blade position with face perpendicular to water
- Feather - Blade position with face parallel to water
Stroke Components
- Stroke rate - Number of strokes per minute (SPM)
- Ratio - Relationship between drive and recovery times
- Pressure - Amount of force applied during the drive
- Rhythm - Overall flow and timing of the stroke
For Blade Work
- "Paint the ceiling" - For proper hand height on the recovery
- "Drop it in the slot" - For clean blade entry
- "Slice the butter" - For clean, level blade extraction
- "Knock on the door" - For square-up timing before the catch
For Body Movement
- "Sit tall like a string is pulling you up" - For proper posture
- "Arms are like ropes" - For relaxed, loose arms
- "Push like in a leg press machine" - For proper leg drive
- "Pivot from the hips like a door on hinges" - For proper body swing
For Rhythm
- "Explode on the drive, glide on the recovery" - For good ratio
- "It's like a pendulum" - For continuous, flowing movement
- "Quick hands away, then slow slide" - For proper recovery sequencing
The "Feedback Sandwich" Method
- Positive observation - Begin with something the rower is doing well
- Correction - Provide clear instruction on what to adjust
- Encouragement - End with encouragement or expected outcome
Example: "Your leg drive is powerful! Try holding your back at the same angle until legs are down. That will help direct all your power to the blade."
The "What, Why, How" Method
- What - Clearly state what technical element needs attention
- Why - Briefly explain why it matters
- How - Provide a simple cue to make the change
Example: "Let's work on hand heights. Even hands create a level boat. Try imagining your hands moving along a tabletop."
Session 1 - Focus on Comfort and Basic Sequence
- Use simple, non-technical terms initially
- Focus on "legs-back-arms, arms-back-legs" as primary sequence
- Avoid over-correction - address only major issues
- Emphasize safety language - "stay with the boat," "hold oars perpendicular"
Session 2 - Focus on Recovery Sequence
- Emphasize "hands away first, then pivot, then slide"
- Use imagery for relaxation: "hang from the oar handles"
- Introduce basic blade work language
Session 3 - Focus on Power Application
- Use power-specific language: "push, don't pull"
- Connection imagery: "feel your feet connect to the handles"
- Introduce rate and ratio concepts
Session 4 - Focus on Integration
- Use holistic language about the full stroke
- Emphasize self-diagnosis: "how does that feel?"
- Future-focused language: "when you row next time, try..."