How to improve upstream technique
Comparing, evaluating and monitoring on the layby upstream.
Comparing, evaluating and monitoring on the layby upstream.
So far in each article I have done, I have looked into how to do moves and really focusing on making it simple, following logical concepts, and understanding the water.
This gives us knowledge. Knowledge is power. With knowledge we can improve.
This article will look more into how we compare, evaluate, and go away with things to work on.
The only ways to know what to work on or where to improve are to either “feel” where we are losing time, or by watching someone else and judging if they are either doing something better, or doing something that you cannot do.
We can also seek advice and ask others – What are my strengths and weaknesses?
When you see someone do something well, don’t just think that it was good, think how did they do that? What did they do to achieve that result?
The more we watch, the more we understand, learn and evaluate other people’s performances and our own.
Let’s look at a performance
This will be the upstream gate in the layby. With the configuration of the eddy being so small, the up and bearer line is very unlikely to move. This make it very repeatable. It is also very likely to be in a race so it’s a good idea to have worked out the best way to do it.
How are we going to capture a performance?
I think an overhead view is one of the best views available for comparison. You can see the lines, angles and stroke placement very well, and where your bows and hips are in relation to both poles. This makes comparison easy.
Setting up this overhead angle is actually quite easy. It does require a Go Pro however a lot of people have these nowadays so if you don’t own one, train with someone who does ;)
The video below shows the set up to get the above angle.
This gives us knowledge. Knowledge is power. With knowledge we can improve.
This article will look more into how we compare, evaluate, and go away with things to work on.
The only ways to know what to work on or where to improve are to either “feel” where we are losing time, or by watching someone else and judging if they are either doing something better, or doing something that you cannot do.
We can also seek advice and ask others – What are my strengths and weaknesses?
When you see someone do something well, don’t just think that it was good, think how did they do that? What did they do to achieve that result?
The more we watch, the more we understand, learn and evaluate other people’s performances and our own.
Let’s look at a performance
This will be the upstream gate in the layby. With the configuration of the eddy being so small, the up and bearer line is very unlikely to move. This make it very repeatable. It is also very likely to be in a race so it’s a good idea to have worked out the best way to do it.
How are we going to capture a performance?
I think an overhead view is one of the best views available for comparison. You can see the lines, angles and stroke placement very well, and where your bows and hips are in relation to both poles. This makes comparison easy.
Setting up this overhead angle is actually quite easy. It does require a Go Pro however a lot of people have these nowadays so if you don’t own one, train with someone who does ;)
The video below shows the set up to get the above angle.
As you can see this can only takes a few minutes.
Now let’s look at the footage this angle gives.
Post session I would look through this video and analyse what I thought was good and bad.
I would then compare it to video I had of other people (why it can be good to train as a group) or to previous performances.
Using a split screen here is very advantageous. It make comparison with this static, non-moving angle very easy. I will put a list of software that can do this nearer the end of the article. (I use a version of Sony Vegas although this is quite expensive)
In the video above we have also annotated the video as a reminder of the key factors for improvement.
After some time training which will include the layby up, but also working on all upstream factors (more pre turn, gripping better, offside edge etc) I would revisit the up on the layby.
Looking at this, progress has been made but there is still more to come.
Both these videos show that by being invested, and setting up sessions, paddling, analysing, going away and working on the factors required and then coming back again we can make improvements. (The notes on the video contain terminology which is specific to the coach and athlete, so don’t worry if you don’t fully understand them.)
Again factors were worked on and improvements again happened.
Summary
Watch and learn from others.
Compare against yourself and others – thinking all the time how can I improve myself.
One of the best ways to watch and work out stuff is by watching video – with video we have the capacity to replay, pause, play in slow, and compare in more detail.
It can be quite simple – set up camera, record, analyse, make notes, compare, make notes, and go training again with more knowledge at your disposal.
Split screen software
Most powerful video editing software (Final cut, Sony Vegas, Adobe premier)
Sports analysis software (Kinovea – free, Dartfish, Coaches eye)
Two laptops/tablets next to each other pressing play at the same time.
If you want to export a video but your software won’t allow it, just record the screen using screen capture software or even just video your screen on your phone. There are plenty of options.
Comparing different techniques
Again the layby upstream is perfect for this. What is faster?
- Arm under
- Bow rudder outside (BEAR)
- Sweep/fix
- Reverse?
We have also got to decide what is personally quicker for us. Someone may be quicker doing an arm under, but our own fastest is a BEAR upstream – although this means we can learn from them by working out how they are doing an arm under better, and what they do to achieve this.
A Gift.
Anyone that films over head on the layby, I will make a split screen video for them and annotate with ideas to gain time.
Condition – this then gets posted on my site for others to watch and share knowledge.
Email me and we can arrange how to swap footage.
Hope this has been useful. I will look more into the process of learning, and how to progress in future articles. Learning how to learn and how to develop is so important.