How to be a good cox

The cox has full responsibility for the safety of the crew. The crew also has a responsibility for, and a duty to respect the cox. Until experienced in coxing, the crew has a responsibility to coach the cox. This booklet covers the basics for how to cox an outing. It should be read as an introduction to the skills and language of being a cox. There are many more skills to learn to race a crew well, but such skills are developments of what you read in this guide. There is not much new to learn, just the adaption and perfection of use of these instructions applied under pressure of racing. It is a similar process to learn to cox as it is learning to play “Super Mario” and speak “American computer-game-geek language” at the same time.

Contents

1. Instructions,
2. Language
3. Sample outing –starting off in the boathouse
4. Moving from the landing stage
5. How to talk to the crew as they row
6. Things to say to your crew
7. The EMERGENCY STOP!!!
8. Directional steering: where to steer / things to be aware of
9. Spinning (turning the boat around)
10. How to land the boat at the end of the outing Almost ready to do it. One other thing you need to know.
11. Some thoughts on the rudder and it’s effectiveness

1. Coxing instructions

Verbal instructions must be clear and consistent. By clear, they must be heard by all the crew and understandable. Crisp words in brief instructions, clearly spoken are all features of good coxing instruction. By consistent, many coxing instructions countrywide are identical. If coxes learn the language, and rowers also get used to the language, then wherever a cox goes, whoever he coxes, the instructions will be effective, even if only partially heard. The message will be clear from the few words or sounds heard.

2 Language

The way a cox speaks to his/her crew has a great effect. Cox is in charge (irrespective of age or sex)of the crew. When experienced, cox will be trusted with the crew’s safety completely. This trust will be earned by each member of the crew believing that the cox knows what they are about.

Instructions must be:

• Confident. Words used must be correct and clear
• Rhythmical -spoken in a way that rowers can act on them because they fit into the pattern of the rowing rhythm.
• Timed to cause effect. Calling a crew to order when only half the crew are in position will bring the rest to attention. Counting down to bring the remainder to act with a little rush imposed on the last, slowest characters will sharpen up the crew’s response. Look for the crew to follow instructions sharply. Don’t accept delay!! KEEP THE CREW MOVING FROM ONE THING TO THE NEXT.

Continued