Improve the Stroke - Posture sculling recovery (+ Common Problems)
Please look at the examples below and review your own positions or that of your crew. Anthony Edwards, 5 times Olympic athlete demonstrates common issues.
It is important that during the sculling recovery that the athlete sits relaxed in the boat and ensures that they assume the correct posture, particularly in relation to the shoulders, arms and knees.
It is important that during the sculling recovery that the athlete sits relaxed in the boat and ensures that they assume the correct posture, particularly in relation to the shoulders, arms and knees.

Correct Position:
Here Eddy demonstrates the correct posture coming into the catch in a sculling boat. Arms fully extended and the shoulders relaxed and the knees evenly spread and relaxed.
For more info, please see:
Posture and Pauses
Pauses , why to do them and what to watch for
Here Eddy demonstrates the correct posture coming into the catch in a sculling boat. Arms fully extended and the shoulders relaxed and the knees evenly spread and relaxed.
For more info, please see:
Posture and Pauses
Pauses , why to do them and what to watch for

Uneven shoulders:
This photo demonstrates how some athletes hold their shoulders on the recovery to have the left handle lead the right. This can lead to injury and an unbalanced boat.
The left should only just lead the right and there is no need for the shoulders to be involved like this.
Improve - Hand Position on the Sculling Recovery

Tense and hunched shoulders:
This image demonstrates an athlete with very tense upper body. This should be avoided as it results in a tense grip and less feel of the boat movement.
The catch is very difficult to execute correctly if the shoulders are tense. We suggest have the athlete practice relaxing the shoulders at all times.
The vital importance of grip and relaxation
Loose Shoulder and Grip
This image demonstrates an athlete with very tense upper body. This should be avoided as it results in a tense grip and less feel of the boat movement.
The catch is very difficult to execute correctly if the shoulders are tense. We suggest have the athlete practice relaxing the shoulders at all times.
The vital importance of grip and relaxation
Loose Shoulder and Grip

Bent arms on the recovery:
It is important that the athlete extends their arms almost fully at the finish before the body rocks over and certainly before coming down the slide.
Failing to get the sequence right will encourage a poor catch position.