Coaches: Watch for cheating, as some paddlers will simply place their open hand over the handle, or the heel of their hand, which negates the purpose of the drill. This is well illustrated by the 2nd, 3rd & 4th paddlers on the port side. The 2nd paddler has hooked her thumb under the handle and placed her palm on top, while #3 & $ are both using their palms rather than their wrists.

Ken McVay photo

 

Arms should be held at shoulder height and kept fully extended.

Coaches should watch for improper technique – note that the paddler in the rear does not have her arms extended, and will gain no benefit from the drill.

This drill provides an effective means of encouraging a single paddler to hinge properly while the rest of the crew continues to paddle, as this photo illustrates.

Here are some additional timing drills.

[Ken McVay photos]