8 seat. Stroke. Leader. Whatever way you want to refer to it, it still remains to be one thing. INTIMIDATING. In order to be stroke, you must have that mindset of, "Psh, I've got this. I can lead 7 other rowers." That sure is a mindset that I haven't quite developed, but would love to. It's only for certain people. A week at stroke proved that to me. Maybe because I had the wall up, and refused to let it down, but I always felt so out of place there. I would always think to myself, every single practice, that the rowers behind me must think I'm crazy. My coxswain would command me to keep a certain stroke rate, but I could never keep it as solid as the stroke seat I was replacing for the week. It always seemed to fluctuate a stroke below or above where I was supposed to be.
According to the all-famous personality traits in an eight article, stroke is supposed to be the most competitive rower in the boat. While I don't disagree with this statement, I feel that others can be just as competitive. I'd say that I channel the competitive aspect of stroke seat much more successfully in bow. Now don't get me wrong, I love to step up and lead, but leading at stroke seat is something that takes a lot of practice. A LOT.
Ohh stroke seat. It just gives me chills thinking about it. It sure takes one confident, bad-ass rower to fill those shoes. If stroke seat doesn't show up to practice mentally, it's not going to be a good row. Plain and simple. Stroke seat sets pace, is responsible for cadence, and has to put up with the rowers behind her who feel like rushing their slide. Some of you may not understand this, but try sitting there for one practice. It's a whole new world. The conversations with the coxswain in a stern-loaded boat are always entertaining, but when it's time to snap back to reality and start practice (or a race for that matter) it sure starts to settle in.
I was stroke seat for a fall race and was nervous. I can't even imagine stroking a spring race from a dead start. Talk about pressure. If you whiff on the first stroke, there goes the rhythm of your entire boat. Oh boy.
Stroke seats worldwide, keep it rockin' up there. You guys are one in a million. Legit.
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Thursday, October 21, 2010
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Coaching Philosophy
Fall has been quite the hectic season as a whole. Crew has been going well. Our team is making many changes for the better, and we continue to improve every day. One thing I really like about this fall is my Intro to Coaching class. For our first assignment we had to write a coaching philosophy, and naturally I decided to write mine from the perspective of a rowing coach. I based the foundation of my philosophy on teamwork, since it is so vital to the success of any team. So, without further ado, I present to you my rowing coach philosophy.
A Coaching Philosophy: Club Rowing
Savannah Bales
The quote “teamwork divides the task and multiplies the success” is the foundation of my coaching philosophy. Rowing is a sport of teamwork, and on my team, there is no star player. No one person in the sport of rowing is the most valuable. No one is more important than the team as a whole. Together, we row as one.
As a coach, the top five things I value are friendship and family, honesty, passion, loyalty, and teamwork.
What my team will learn to understand is that academics and family come before rowing. Although the team is important, priority will always fall with family. As a coach of club rowing, I know and understand that my team are students before they are athletes.
Along with teamwork and camaraderie, I base my coaching philosophy on skill and passion for the sport. My goal for the team will always be to create not only the fastest moving boats, but those who are willing to work together, and work hard for each other. A first place medal is a fantastic day, but in the end, so long as each boat improves their time, it is still a success.
I expect my team to come to practice to work hard every day. Hard work goes hand in hand with teamwork. And along with teamwork comes the willingness to develop. Every day I will dedicate practice time to helping everyone develop and work to their fullest potential. The harder everyone is willing to work, the faster and better their boat will become.
Practice will be held daily to develop fitness, as well as overall rowing ability. On certain days I shall emphasize technique, whereas other days I will dedicate to conditioning. Rowers must come to practice ready to work hard. I expect practice to be a good work out, keeping in mind the health of the athletes at all times. The health and overall being of each and every athlete ranks very high in my priorities.
When putting boats together I will place athletes in their positions based on who I believe will help the team the most in a certain spot. I believe in utmost honesty and if someone wants to know why they are where they are I will tell them. I do not agree with coaches placing people in boats only based off of their strength. Along with strength, I will take into account one’s skill, passion, teamwork and dedication. One can have muscle, but they may not know how to properly use it.
I expect my athletes to have the same amount of passion for the sport as I do. I expect my team to work for the common goal. Having passion for something you do makes you feel immensely better when you accomplish it. You obtain great memories from putting a lot of effort into something and then being able to reap the rewards of your hard work.
With all of this in mind, I also want to make it clear that my goal is to maintain a team that works hard together, and puts their best into practice, but has fun at the same time. A primary goal is to provide rowers with the opportunity to participate in a friendly yet competitive environment.
In sum, not to be cliché, but “teamwork makes the dream work.” Camaraderie and teamwork is the center of my philosophy and everything is based around it. The well being of my athletes will always be a priority as I coach them to perform their best. I will make practice tough, but only so my athletes may enjoy the results of their hard work and dedication.
A Coaching Philosophy: Club Rowing
Savannah Bales
The quote “teamwork divides the task and multiplies the success” is the foundation of my coaching philosophy. Rowing is a sport of teamwork, and on my team, there is no star player. No one person in the sport of rowing is the most valuable. No one is more important than the team as a whole. Together, we row as one.
As a coach, the top five things I value are friendship and family, honesty, passion, loyalty, and teamwork.
What my team will learn to understand is that academics and family come before rowing. Although the team is important, priority will always fall with family. As a coach of club rowing, I know and understand that my team are students before they are athletes.
Along with teamwork and camaraderie, I base my coaching philosophy on skill and passion for the sport. My goal for the team will always be to create not only the fastest moving boats, but those who are willing to work together, and work hard for each other. A first place medal is a fantastic day, but in the end, so long as each boat improves their time, it is still a success.
I expect my team to come to practice to work hard every day. Hard work goes hand in hand with teamwork. And along with teamwork comes the willingness to develop. Every day I will dedicate practice time to helping everyone develop and work to their fullest potential. The harder everyone is willing to work, the faster and better their boat will become.
Practice will be held daily to develop fitness, as well as overall rowing ability. On certain days I shall emphasize technique, whereas other days I will dedicate to conditioning. Rowers must come to practice ready to work hard. I expect practice to be a good work out, keeping in mind the health of the athletes at all times. The health and overall being of each and every athlete ranks very high in my priorities.
When putting boats together I will place athletes in their positions based on who I believe will help the team the most in a certain spot. I believe in utmost honesty and if someone wants to know why they are where they are I will tell them. I do not agree with coaches placing people in boats only based off of their strength. Along with strength, I will take into account one’s skill, passion, teamwork and dedication. One can have muscle, but they may not know how to properly use it.
I expect my athletes to have the same amount of passion for the sport as I do. I expect my team to work for the common goal. Having passion for something you do makes you feel immensely better when you accomplish it. You obtain great memories from putting a lot of effort into something and then being able to reap the rewards of your hard work.
With all of this in mind, I also want to make it clear that my goal is to maintain a team that works hard together, and puts their best into practice, but has fun at the same time. A primary goal is to provide rowers with the opportunity to participate in a friendly yet competitive environment.
In sum, not to be cliché, but “teamwork makes the dream work.” Camaraderie and teamwork is the center of my philosophy and everything is based around it. The well being of my athletes will always be a priority as I coach them to perform their best. I will make practice tough, but only so my athletes may enjoy the results of their hard work and dedication.
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