31 August 2012 - Finish

First the big things.The drive is nice and horizonta and the length of the stroke and compression is greatl. There is a big loss of connection as the legs start the drive. Your seat shoots out and the oar does not move. You need to keep that connection strong with the back as you start the drive. Now the 2nd tier items:The finish is nice and good pushdown. Lastly, your feathering should be done with the fingers instead of the wrist and the left hand should lead the recovery so as your hands cross over each other, the higher hand is in front. Huge progress over the last 2 weeks.

Big items: Seb is getting good compression with the seat at the catch. He needs more reach with the upper body. He has good connection on the drive although the back opens a little early. The hands are still moving in an arc during the drive rather than in a straight horizontal line. He has good length at the finish which is an improvement from earlier in the week. All in all, a very promising start!

Big things: Drive sequence and connection is great. Recovery is controlled but a little fast. 2nd tier things: Push down at the finish and keep the hands moving. Also the hands need to be close to each other to get the right set. I can see air between the hands on the recovery, and I shouldn't. Don't stop your hands at the finish. Push down and away in a smooth continious motion. Looks like you are rigged too high. Make sure you check.

Big items: Preparation is excellent. The drive however is starting slowly with the legs because the back is lifting up too much(use the pause button at midstroke to see this), Finish is good. 2nd tier comments: don't drop hands at the catch..but this s a more advanced thing that we haven't really talked about, but wanted to put it out there so you have something to think about.

Big Things: Drive is good and starts aggressively with the legs. You have to get a little more body angle but huge progress from before. Would like 3 more inches of reach from the hips. 2nd tier: One of the few who is not feathering with the outside hand.and has a relaxed inside arm. Good pushdown at the finish. Excellent.

Big Items: the last part of the recovery is uncontrolled and hence you bounce off the front before putting in the oar and starting the drive (use the pause function to see this). Once the oar is in the water the drive is good and done the right way but we really need to work on slowing ourselves down before we get to the catch. You have to be poised to launch yourself into the drive at the catch and not accidentally find yourself on the drive. I really like the intensity of the drive, and the connection. You can move the boat. 2nd tier: You are fethering with the outside hand. You are not pushing the oar down at the finish and push the hands away at almost the same height as you pull them in instead of getting the handle down on your lap.

Big items: The best drive and connection on the team. You drive aggressively with the legs and don't start the back until almost completing the leg drive. Everyone should watch this video... pausing at every frame to see how the leg drive is just like we do the legs only drill. Well done. You can get a few inches more compression on the slide. 2nd tier: feathering with the outside hand and there is a small lunge at the catch.

Big Things: Very horizontal drive and good sequence. You can get more reach forward especially if you sit on the seat right, and I would like to see a more aggresive start to the drive (see Greg's video). The reach has improved tremendously over the last few weeks but I am looking for even more reach. 2nd tier, Get a good pushdown at the finish and don't stop your hands as you push them away. Watch the feathering with the outside hand. I do like how your inside arm is well relaxed.

Big things: Huge improvement in leg drive and the drive sequence. Just huge. I like it. But every so often you slip back into old habits and start using your back (like the last stroke in this sequence), so keep watching that demon. Good pushdown at the finish. The back is still a little stiff at the layback position. Watch Will behind you and see the lower back position. More relaxed and natural. 2nd tier: Watch your head. When you lift your chin up during the drive, your shoulders come up too. Keep your head position horizontal and steady and stable. Left hand should lead the recovery so watch that. Your feathering has greatly improved.

Big Things: Your compression, catch position and preparation is good. Your drive sequence is not correct. You are starting the drive with your back and by mid lef drive, your back is past vertical and your arms have already started coming on. Also make sure you are sitting on the right portion of your butt so you have the correct forward angle. The finish is very relaxed and natural and you have excellent power, which you apply very consistently. We just need to apply it in the right sequence.2nd tier: push your hands down at the finish.

Zach, watch your hands at the catch. Don't drop your right hand.

Big items: Nice position at the catch and excellent good preparation and composure. Important to keep the drive more horizontal instead of lifting the back during the stroke. Need more relaxation in the hand grip. 2nd tier: Don't shift your weight or upper body on the recovery and instead use your hands to balance the boat. Try to feather by rolling the oar through to your fingertips instead of using your wrist.

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