Improve Sweep - Sweep Grip at the Rowing Catch  (+ Common Problems)

It is crucial when rowing sweep that the hands and arms are relaxed at the catch.

Please look at the examples below and review your positions or that of your crew. Anthony Edwards, five times Olympic athlete, demonstrates common issues.  ​​

Correct Position:

Here Eddy demonstrates the correct hand position. Please note the flat wrists and the relaxed but firm hold on the handle. 

For more information, please view the below videos:

• How to handle a sweep oar
• Sweep handle technique, exercises and common problems​​​​

Tight grip and cocked wrist:
​
Eddy demonstrates the athlete grip that is too tense and often results in a cocked wrist.  

It is vital that the hands, arms and shoulders are relaxed at the catch. It is impossible to have relaxed arms and shoulders if you have a tight grip.

Please see the below videos to help correct these issues:​

• The vital importance of grip and relaxation

Too loose grip:

Here Eddy demonstrates the athlete gripping the oar too lightly with the result that the feathering will be imprecise and the possibility of losing the oar at the catch is real.

As demonstrated in the first example, we suggest encouraging the athlete to have a relaxed grip.