Andrew, main points from this clinic (and all clinics)
1. twist from core and extend to get forward angle comfortably, but not overextend
-most people have good forward angle, but start moving before blade catches water
2. FULLY PLANT THE BLADE
3. use body (legs, core, lats) to rotate for power, not arms (ok for short periods for bursts of speed)
- use leverage of body, instead of muscles.. johnny gave example of yanking open a stuck door- stick foot beside door and use body leverage to pull with legs and body.
-arms used mostly to pull blade out of water
-main puzzle to to put it all together at one time. People use legs, core, big muscles, but may not put it together in one motion.
4. Exit- too far back will kill boat (esp 6 man). Elbow reaches torso, start exit. blade will continue to travel back further as it follows through, but the power is done at that point
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Johnny: Technique is only thing can make you faster instantly...conditioning, strenth take time, technique can have immediate results:
have the paddle lead the the lat and hip forward.. NOT staying square and pushing forward, hip square
try drill with both arms straight- have to use body
when in race, instead of "up for 2", try "2 more inches"...
danny: rotation also means lower body rotation also - knees and legs
uses back end of stroke to setup rotation- one leg pull back and other push forward
roll weight into front foot
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johnny: When talking about forward angle in catch, where do people go wrong?
most people start rotation in air- losing critical distance... top hand shouldn't moving before the blade is loaded... load the blade in the water, then start movement
danny: triangle/ "A" frame. mistake people make is when blade is loaded, the top hand pushes forward in a pivot instead of following through with whole body
body is rigid. top hand/ bottom hand/ body all moving same speed.
johnny: break arms at elbow at end of stroke to get the blade out to set up for recovery
straight arm is not mean hyperextended.. relaxed straight arm
danny: elbow will break at end to release blade at rear, but with no power.. not using the arms to add extra speed at back end, just as follow through