How to be a good coxswain?

Question

How should i prepare to be a coxswain?

I am going out for my Highschool freshman crew team this fall. I want to be the coxswain but i have no idea what i'm doing. PLease Help Me

Also, i'm about 5"2" how heavy should a coxswain my size be

Thanks

Answer 1

I am a coxswain, and I think there are a few simple things you should know:

1. Height, you are perfect, people who are more than 5"4' might find it a bit hard to sit properly in the boats, particularly racing quads or bow coxed boats. Weight does not matter so much, as long as it is under about 55kg. In high level rowing, coxes weighing under 50 carry weights, but dont worry about that.

2. Steering. One of the most important jobs of a cox. Make sure you know where you are going before entering the water. keep a straight line, and observe the rules that apply to your river (they may vary).

3. Calls. What you say during training and races is another major factor that the coaches will consider. Always stay carm, if you get nervous, scared or frustrated, it will distract and scare your rowers. Be loud and clear. Always count in to a change in stroke (starting pauses in 3, 2, 1...) and if you can, remind the rowers of technique as well (a good start would be backs up straight, shoulders back, controlling it forwards, squeezing back).

4. Finally, organisation. Know what you are doing and where you are going before you get on the water. always have appropriate equiptment ready. Discuss anything with the coach and check that your rowers understand. Try to be early.

Goooooodluck!

Answer 2

I'm still fairly new (novice highschool coxswain) but from what I've learned so far, weight doesn't matter so much when you're a novice, respect is KEY, and steering is the most important part of being a cox. You need to keep your girls quiet and on task, don't worry about sounding mean, and don't take lip from them either. Make sure you're alwas on point and if you think you should be doing something, just go with your gut and make the call. Coaches respect coxswains who take leadership and who own up to making mistakes while still giving ways to improve yourself.

Answer 3

Respect is key. Snap judgements and quick decisions and actions are what make a boat, and a good cox. In order for those be executed effectively, your rowers need to know that you are there for them, and they need to trust you.... because they can't see where they're going.
I work out with my crew on land, and I work just as hard as they do, just to show them that I'm not trying to take "the easy way" by being cox, I'm in it for the team, and for them.
But you need to draw the line between being a friend and being respected. If your too friendly on the boat, they may not take you seriously. If your too demanding, they may get fed up with you. Its a fine line, but you need to find it, and walk it everyday.
Also, I find it helpful to crack a joke here and there. It lightens the mood and raises moral. I find that the rowers are more willing to do more work if they are having more fun. Plus, laughter gets them to breath a little bit. But only joke around when the boat is stationary, don't make them laugh when they're in the middle of rowing. Thats bad.

Answer 4

if you are good in the boat, know what to say and how to motivate them, have their respect, thats more important than weight or height. anyone can be a good height and weight, but its what you say in the boat that really matters. most crews will be willing to carry a few extra pounds, some even alot of extra weight for a cox that has all of those abilities- look elsewhere for tips on coxing and terminolgy and such.

Answer 5

you have to be on top of everything. it doesn't matter if they are your friends in the boat, your goal and what your job is to do, is make sure they win. make sure YOU win. do what ever it takes, yell, scream, curse, do what ever it takes to yet your boat over that finish line first. make sure while your coxing that you actually make sense, don't just yell to yell, or scream to scream, you need direction and accurate knowledge of whats happening.

Answer 6

Although weight is important, it isn't the end all.  What's key to a cox is the power that they have over the rowers.  Here's a few tips:

You need to convey a sense of absolute and utter confidence when you're coxing. No one will follow you or listen to your calls if they don't believe that you know what you're doing.
Earn each and every one of your rower's respect.  If you have their respect, they will trust you and do whatever you tell them to, unquestioningly.  It may be hard to earn their respect (and for every crew and every individual, it changes on how to earn this), but it's completely worth the time.  I'm a college varsity men's cox, and to earn the respect of some of my rowers I had to show them that I was willing to work just as hard as they were.  To do this, I did a land workout with them (as the other coxins watched) that consisted of running a 5K, doing 3 circuits, and then rowing a 5K on the ergs.  It was h**l, but sticking with it impressed them and let them know that I was dedicated to them.  
Be confident enough to make snap judgments and calls.  Don't question yourself and take long periods of time deciding what to do.
If you don't know what you're doing, ASK FOR HELP.  You don't want to crash a boat.  EVER.  
Don't tell the rowers that you "know how they feel."  Unless you're also a rower, you have no idea what kind of h**l they're going through every single stroke.  
Be positive.  Spin things with a positive twist.  Don't say "I know you're tired, but you're almost done!" instead say something like, "I see you fighting, and you are STRONG!  I FEEL the POWER in this boat!"
Don't lie to your rowers.  Ever.

Hope this helps, and good luck!

Answer 7

A coxswain where I am from needs to 110 lbs or else he or she won't be considered for the top varsity boat.

Weight is more important than height....because the rowers don't want to be pulling more weight in the boat than necessary.

Hope that helps a little....