Jazz hands is a common issue that plagues beginner and intermediate rowers alike and can significantly hinder boat speed and efficiency. It not only “checks the boat” and reduces the effective length of your drive, but it can also causes blades to submerge too deeply, causing you to have Rainbow hands, as well as increases the risk of injury. Jazz hands may feel intuitive but is a result of a flawed understanding of the mechanics that go into a good rowing stroke.
As you approach the end of the recovery phase, its possible to incorrectly assume that the end of this movement is once the blade have moved backwards, but still in the air, and you are at full reach. It may feel like it should then be a new movement to change the direction of your body, and bring the blades down in order to “attack” the water from there.
Mimicking a Deadlift
Because the final position in a deadlift is with your body upright and the bar against your thighs, the bar needs to stay close to your shins, and above the middle of your feet, at the start of the movement. This can lead rowers to instinctively bring their hands closer to their feet during full compression, to achieve a similar position.
The “Bicycle Catch” Misconception
It is intuitive to liken tapping the water underneath you in the boat to tapping the spinning wheel of a bicycle in order to keep its momentum. This is not how it works and will leads to an ineffective placement, as well as a big check on the boat from starting to push with the legs before connection is established. Considering the fact that we as rowers are part of the same system as the boat and there is a considerable weight difference between our body and that of the boat, its not possible to tap the water along. You have to anchor the blade in the water before applying any power.
Avoiding the Water
Carrying the blades low does drop our center of gravity but this is only good for flat conditions. Its better to learn to balance, by keeping your weight in your seat, staying loose, and adding a bit of thumb pressure, to carry your blades with enough room to roll them square, while staying clear of the water. If you carry them low, it would be necessary to lift them to square them anyway and when you do this, especially at pace, they end up going too high just before the placement.
Tension in Arms and Shoulders
Rigid arms and shoulders during recovery will make it hard to allow your hands to operate independently of the transitioning movements of your upper body. As your body rocks over your hands will drop. This is especially the case if you think about moving your shoulder forward into front stops, rather than rocking your pelvis into flexion off backstops, and sitting up as you bring your ribs towards your knees at the front.
Understanding the Impact on Boat Speed
Rowing isn’t just about moving the oar through water; it’s about creating a seamless, efficient connection. When you engage in jazz hands, you compromise this connection. Here’s why:
Fixing Jazz Hands: Key Concepts and Drills
Rethink the end of the recovery
The placement – where the blade enters the water – is the final step of the recovery, not the start of the drive. The drive begins only when the blade is anchored in the water and connected. Visualize the recovery ending with a smooth, intentional placement.
Adjust Your Deadlift Analogy
Unlike a deadlift, the rowing drive is a horizontal motion with your leg drive and the movement of your hands on 2 separate plains. Focus on moving the oar handles in a straight, horizontal line from connection to the start of the extraction, parallel to, but separate from the movement of the slide through the leg drive. As such, it is not necessary to bring your hands towards your feet, but rather keep them moving in a straight line till you lift them into the placement
Boats Aren’t Bicycles
In the bicycle example your movements don’t affect the flow of the spinning wheel, but in rowing, you are part of the propulsion system. Unlike tapping a bicycle wheel, you need to anchor the blade firmly in the water to generate movement. Without this anchor, you’ll simply push the boat back and forth without meaningful propulsion.
Carry Blades with Clearance
Learn to balance the boat by keeping your weight heavy in your seat and using button pressure, rather than keeping blades excessively low. This allows for a smooth square without unnecessary lifting or skying.
Relax Your Arms and Shoulders
The recovery is your chance to relax. Keep your grip light and your arms loose, letting your hands move independently from the movements of your body. Engage your core and prepare for the leg squeeze as you make connection.
Practical Drill: The Blade-Dragging Exercise
To break the jazz hands habit, try this progressive exercise:
This drill helps develop muscle memory of following a horizontal blade path, ensuring your placement becomes a seamless part of the recovery.
Final Thoughts
Understanding and addressing jazz hands starts with identifying the root cause and reshaping your mindset. The recovery phase should flow smoothly into placement, with no unnecessary swings or pauses. Through consistent practice and targeted drills, you can eliminate jazz hands, improve your efficiency, and maximize your boat speed.
Remember, rowing is a sport of rhythm and precision – embrace these principles, and let your technique drive your performance forward.