Ask The Experts
How far forward should I Slide on the Catch?
Ted Fellows: "Until recently I've been sliding forward until my calves kiss the backs of my thighs and I've been bending forward just a bit, far enough for the handle to finish up just about under the display panel. In my innocence I thought I was achieving a posture similar to the young lady in your diagram. I'm now told that I have been sliding too far forward, thus depriving myself of the power in my legs and that I haven't been bending forward far enough to get a long pull.
"So now I slide in rather less far and bend forward as far as I can so the handle pretty nearly hits the frame. My armpits just about sync with my knees if I row with my knees close together. It is more comfortable though, if I splay my knees so that my torso has free passage."
Terry O'Neill: If you over compress the legs at the catch then you put yourself at a mechanical disadvantage. You should compress the legs until the shin is vertical and the angle of the body will be when it touches the thighs. Don't overreach by letting your knees splay out too far as again you will be in a weak position even though you are rowing a long stroke.
There is an "ideal" technique but there will always be variation caused by different body builds and flexibility. Often the body organises itself to overcome a task in the most efficient way to that particular body. For example if someone has a very strong upper body and relatively weak legs then that person may be better using a long body swing and short leg drive.
The technique we advocate is the safest and in most cases the most efficient method but there will be variation. Unless these variations pose a risk of injury to the rower then they should be left alone. In competition there are no points for technical merit we only count the score on the monitor. If the changes people are suggesting to you make you go faster then all well and good, if not then carry on happily with what you were doing.
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