Rowing - Video Analysis

Video analysis is great. I don't think its done enough. As a coach I try and get a bit of video each time my crews are out rowing. When your playing back the footage later, you can pause and watch it at a variety of different speeds to see who's doing what, and see if the rowers are doing the correct things at the correct times, as well as checking if they are in time with each other during the stroke.

A lot of crews look good when seen at normal speed but when footage is slowed down, faults begin to appear. So if we use video analysis more often then we can be aware of these issues earlier and take steps to address the faults so they don't become ingrained in the rowers natural rowing movement. An analysis can also be done on people doing erg.

Some things to look for when doing an analysis:

During the drive

Is there a hang off the oar through the drive starting at the catch?
Are the arms kept straight for as long as possible in the drive?
Is the body opening up too early in the drive?
Is the oar drawn into the chest or into the lap?
Is the oar drawn in with the wrist being kept flat?
Are the legs being pressed full down?
Are people driving before the blade is in the water?
Is everyone catching together?
Is everyone taking the oars out of the water together?
Is the boat being driven into the water or is it being driven along the top?

During the recovery

Is the recovery kept under control or is it rushed?

Are people squaring over together?
Are the blades coming out square?
Are the bodies being rocked over (from the hips) before the knees come up?
Are the blades off the water?
Is the back kept straight or are people slouching?
Is the catch slow or fast?
Are peoples heads looking straight ahead?

The examples above are just a few of the many things to look out for as a coach and are things that rowers must be aware of and fix if they are not being done properly. Another point to make would be that you also have to tell people how to fix their problems not jut criticize!

And here is a master video analyzer at work....