Common Technical Issues and Corrections

This reference guide provides detailed analysis of the most common technical issues encountered by novice scullers, along with effective correction strategies. For each issue, we’ve included the probable causes, appropriate drills, effective coaching cues, and progression indicators.

Using This Guide

Focus on one correction at a time rather than overwhelming novice rowers with multiple technique points. Connect your coaching to the Black Bear Sequence framework for consistency.

Recovery Phase Issues

Issue Details Rower moves too quickly to the catch position after extracting the blade, often resulting in balance issues, poor catch preparation, and rushy, uncontrolled strokes.
Visual Indicators
  • Jerky recovery motion
  • Boat speed variations (slows dramatically during recovery)
  • Poor balance
  • Rushed, missed catches
Common Causes
  • Poor understanding of stroke ratio
  • Anxiety about blade entry
  • Loss of core control
  • Misunderstanding recovery sequence
Correction Drills
  • "Pause Drill" - Pause at hands away, body over, half-slide positions
  • "Count Drill" - 2-count drive, 3-count recovery
  • "Quarter Slide Progression" - Working up from quarter, to half, to full slide
Coaching Cues
  • "Slow hands... slow body... slow slide"
  • "Let the boat run under you"
  • "Move at half the speed you think you should"
  • "Quick hands away, then take your time"
Progress Indicators
  • Better boat run between strokes
  • More controlled recovery sequence
  • Improved balance throughout the recovery
  • Relaxed upper body during recovery
Issue Details Rower fails to execute the correct recovery sequence (arms extend, body pivots forward, then legs bend), leading to poor posture, balance issues, and inefficient recovery.
Visual Indicators
  • Body leans forward before arms extend
  • Legs bend before body pivots forward
  • All movements happen simultaneously
  • Hunched posture throughout recovery
Common Causes
  • Lack of understanding of sequence
  • Poor body awareness
  • Inadequate core strength
  • Rushing to catch position
Correction Drills
  • "Sequential Pause Drill" - Pause after arms are extended, after body is pivoted
  • "Arms Only" -> "Arms and Body" -> "Full Stroke" progression
  • "Slow Motion Recovery" - Exaggerate slowness of recovery
Coaching Cues
  • "Hands THEN body THEN slide"
  • "Push hands away from your body first"
  • "Pivot from the hips like a door hinge"
  • "Keep your shoulders in front of your hips until the very end"
Progress Indicators
  • Clear distinction between arms, body, slide phases
  • Improved balance during recovery
  • Better posture at catch position
  • Smoother recovery motion

Drive Phase Issues

Issue Details Rower begins to swing the back before completing the leg drive, resulting in inefficient power application and potential back strain.
Visual Indicators
  • Back angle changes immediately at catch
  • Shoulders rise before legs extend
  • Power curve shows early peak followed by drop-off
  • Legs stop driving before fully extended
Common Causes
  • Misunderstanding of power sequencing
  • Weak leg drive
  • Poor body awareness
  • Attempt to generate power from back instead of legs
Correction Drills
  • "Legs Only" drill with fixed body angle
  • "Legs-Back" separation drill with pause at legs down
  • "Quarter Slide" progression focusing on leg drive
Coaching Cues
  • "Lock the back until legs are halfway down"
  • "Push, don't pull"
  • "Feel pressure on your feet before moving your back"
  • "Your back is a lever, not an engine"
Progress Indicators
  • Maintained body angle through initial drive phase
  • More powerful leg drive
  • Better connection through the stroke
  • Smoother power application

Blade Work Issues

Issue Details Rower fails to maintain consistent blade depth during the drive, either washing out (too shallow) or diving (too deep), resulting in power loss and balance issues.
Visual Indicators
  • Water splash at catch, finish, or throughout drive
  • Visible blade depth variations
  • Air bubbles trailing blade (washing out)
  • Handle height variations during drive
Common Causes
  • Poor hand height control
  • Lack of understanding of proper blade depth
  • Balance compensation attempts
  • Inconsistent pressure through the stroke
Correction Drills
  • "Square Blade Rowing" at various rates
  • "Pause at Half-Slide" focusing on clean catches
  • "Eyes Closed Rowing" focusing on feel of proper depth
Coaching Cues
  • "Cover the blade to the shoulders"
  • "Feel the resistance - not too heavy, not too light"
  • "Maintain consistent handle heights"
  • "Draw a straight line with your hands"
Progress Indicators
  • Cleaner water surface during drive
  • More consistent power application
  • Improved boat run
  • Better balance throughout the stroke
Issue Details Rower carries blades too high (skying) or too low (diving/dragging) on the recovery, affecting boat balance, rhythm, and preparation for the catch.
Visual Indicators
  • Blades significantly above the water surface (skying)
  • Blades dragging in the water (diving/dragging)
  • Inconsistent hand heights during recovery
  • Boat instability, particularly if one blade is higher/lower than the other
  • Rushed or compromised catch due to poor blade positioning
Common Causes
  • Poor body posture (slumping or over-reaching)
  • Incorrect hand levels (too high or too low)
  • Tension in shoulders and arms
  • Lack of awareness of blade position relative to water
  • Overcompensating for balance issues
Correction Drills
  • "Square Blade Rowing" focusing on consistent blade height
  • "Tap Down Drill" - exaggerating the downward movement of hands at the finish to clear water
  • "Recovery Pause Drill" - pausing at hands away and body over to check hand levels and blade height
  • Rowing with one hand on one oar, other hand guiding height on the other
Coaching Cues
  • "Level hands, like carrying a tray"
  • "Skim the surface on recovery"
  • "Relax the shoulders, let the hands float"
  • "Clear the water with a gentle tap down"
  • "Match your hand heights"
Progress Indicators
  • Blades consistently clear the water by a small, even margin
  • Smoother, more stable recovery
  • Improved preparation for the catch
  • Reduced tension in upper body
Issue Details Rower either fails to get the blade buried before taking the load (missing water/catching air) or plunges the blade too deep at the catch (digging), leading to inefficient power and potential equipment damage.
Visual Indicators
  • Swooshing sound of blade hitting water late (missing water)
  • Large splash or "thud" as blade enters water (digging)
  • Blade not fully buried at the start of the drive
  • Blade buried too deep, oar shaft angled down into water
  • Boat checks or lurches at the catch
Common Causes
  • Incorrect timing of blade entry with leg drive
  • Poor hand height control approaching the catch
  • Over-reaching or lunging at the catch
  • Rushing the recovery and slide
  • Fear of "crabbing" leading to tentative catches
Correction Drills
  • "Catch Placement Drill" - rowing with pauses at the catch, focusing on blade entry
  • "Quarter Slide Catches" - focusing on blade entry from a shortened slide
  • "Slap Catches" (gentle) - to emphasize simultaneous hand lift and leg drive
  • "Rowing with Eyes Closed" (advanced) - to feel the blade lock in
Coaching Cues
  • "Lift hands into the catch, don't drop"
  • "Place the blade, then push"
  • "Feel the water before you load the legs"
  • "Quick hands up as the seat changes direction"
  • "Think 'up and in' with the hands"
Progress Indicators
  • Clean, quiet catches with minimal splash
  • Blade fully buried as leg drive begins
  • Immediate connection with the water
  • Improved boat acceleration from the catch
  • More confident and consistent catch timing
Issue Details Rower's blade comes out of the water too early before the stroke is complete (washing out), or the rower shortens the stroke by not drawing the handles all the way to the body (finishing short). Both result in a loss of power.
Visual Indicators
  • Blade becomes unburied and creates surface disturbance before the finish
  • Handles do not reach the body at the finish
  • Upper body may open up or lean back excessively to compensate
  • Reduced boat speed and run
  • Rowers may appear to be "flailing" at the finish
Common Causes
  • Dropping hands or elbows prematurely at the finish
  • Poor core engagement, leading to inability to maintain pressure
  • Opening the body too early in the drive sequence
  • Misunderstanding of stroke length and finish position
  • Fatigue leading to shortened strokes
Correction Drills
  • "Finish Position Rowing" - pausing at the finish to ensure correct body and handle position
  • "Low Rate, Full Stroke" - focusing on maintaining pressure to the very end
  • "Outside Arm Only Rowing" - to emphasize drawing through with the lats and back
  • "Handle Slap Drill" - gently tapping chest with handles to ensure full draw (use with caution)
Coaching Cues
  • "Keep the blade buried until the hands touch the body"
  • "Draw through to your ribs/sternum"
  • "Squeeze the shoulder blades together at the finish"
  • "Maintain pressure on the oar handle all the way"
  • "Don't let go of the water early"
Progress Indicators
  • Blade remains buried and working until the tap down
  • Handles consistently drawn to the body
  • Fuller, more complete stroke length
  • Improved boat run and power application through the end of the drive
  • More controlled and powerful finish

Additional Resources

Related Coaching Guides

External References

AARC Coach Resources - For internal use only