Advice for novice coxswain?

Question

I'm a novice cox (girl) on a novice men's college lightweight crew. I've only been at it for about two weeks, but when we do pieces against the other boat my boys want me to talk to them more.

Right now all I do is call the stroke rate and try to say stuff like "Keep going! I want more seats...etc..." but it gets repetitive...how do I get the intensity up? And what are some more things that I could say to keep them going? I'm still kind of shy...but I like my job and I want to help them win.

Thanks!

Answer 1

This season and my fall season i was a novice A boat  coxswain. OUr season is done but they moved me up to varsity. The thing i can tell u that helps the most is talking to ur boat. Get to know them , they are the ones u are talking to and trying to communicate to.

In my boat i found that they like getting "focus tens" specifically on a cartain part like "in 2 Focus 10 reaching out at the catch" they also like when u say JUMP with those legs. just motivate them. remind them sit up straight, swing with the hips,pull with the arms.

just make sure u never stop talking. Also, if ur in a four u should call out power of 10's dedicating it on stroke or bow or 3 seat or 2 seat. like it helps them focus on something else and there giving there all, because there doing it for there teammate.

Tell them where they are in the race, "our bow is at there stern" u know that way they will know where they are and arent sticking there head out looking around and messinq up the whole boat.  tell them u guys have the potential to get me past there bow. come on ladies. just motivate them.

Make sure u pick a spot out in the land, sometimes the wind can mess up your whole line, just make sure to striaghten it back out.

hope this helps