Abs – Abdominal muscles, part of the core muscle group used in the stroke.

A-Frame- The forward body/paddle position at the set up position in which the Paddler’s body and paddle form the letter “A”. In this position, the body is vertical with the trunk rotated along the axis of rotation, the back pointed towards the side of the boat (towards the shore). The lower arm is locked and reaching forward at the should level of the next paddler in front. The upper arm is almost straight and stacked directly over the lower arm at the side of the boat.

Attention – Race command, used just before the starting horn. Paddles are in a modified

catch position ready to take the first stroke.

Axis of rotation – The imaginary line that runs from the inside (upper) shoulder down the back to the outside buttock.

Back Paddle – Command used to move the boat backwards- it is a reversed stroke.

Bow- Front of the boat.

Bring It Home – Command given towards end of a race to exert 100% effort on each stroke all the way to the finish line.

Bring It Down- Command from the steerer to the Stroke to decrease the stroke rate.

Bring It Up- Command from the steerer to the Stroke to increase the stroke rate.

Butt walk – An exercise in which the paddler moves across the floor by rotating on their

ischial tuberosities (butt bones). This exercise trains the body to move along the axis of

rotation.

Captain- The crewmember who is in charge of leading the crew for an event. They are responsible for organizing the crew and collecting the registration for the event, checking travel and lodging arrangements, and keeping the crew informed of any news about the event. In addition, at the event the captain must attend the early morning Captains meeting to be briefed on the race, and to organize the team throughout the day, ensuring that everyone is onsite and ready to muster when they are called for a race. A really GOOD captain makes sure that there is (appropriate) food and water throughout the event day.

Catch (position) – The paddle insertion point with 100% of the blade buried into the water, ready for the pull back through the water.

Coach- That demented staff trained to instruct paddling and steering.

Coefficient of Friction- The counterproductive effect of friction that is a result of the boat’s contact with water. The heavier the boat and crew, the greater the coefficient of friction and the slower the boat will be.

Core (muscles)- The set of muscles used to effectively drive a racing stroke. These muscles include the lower and upper back muscles, the abdominal muscles, the shoulder muscles and the intercostal muscles (in between the ribs).

Counter-Rotate –Twisting the body from the hips to the shoulders to move the paddle

through the water during the stroke drive through the water.

Draw – Command used to move the whole boat or one section of it sideways. Used to align the boat for the start of a race/mock race.

Drill- A short, repetitive exercise designed to re-enforce an aspect of the stroke, timing or

racing.

Drive- The forceful plunge down and forward from the setup position to the catch position. Also called “Plant”

Drummer- The team member who sits in the front of the boat and keeps time by beating a drum in time with Stroke’s rate. The drummer also relays commands from the steerer to the rest of the boat.

Engine room – Powerful paddlers in back of boat, usually same as six pack.

Eyes In The Boat – Command during races and practices to pay attention only to steerer’s commands and to not pay attention to other boats or distractions.

Exit Position- The end of the traveling (pulling) stage of the stroke, where the paddle is pulled cleanly out of the water in anticipation of returning it forward to the Set Up for the next stroke.

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Form- The correct motions, angles and dynamics of a stroke. The single most important aspect of racing, proper form leads to greater power than does adding more muscle (percent effort)

Grunting – Making noise while paddling hard. Usually considered a waste of energy and a    distraction.

Gunwale ((pronounced gunnel)- the top edge of the sides of the boat.

Hinge – Reaching forward by bending forward at the waist instead of rotating along the axis.

Generally considered not good form.

Hold Water – The command to put the entire paddle blade vertically down into the water and bracing it in that position. It is used as a brake against the boat’s motion.

Hyperventilating – Breathing deep done before a start to bring extra oxygen into blood.

Inboard- Towards the inside of the boat.

Inside arm (upper arm) – Paddler’s arm that is on the inward side of the boat. The inside hand holds the paddle t-grip.

Lats – Core muscles that attach the lower torso to the pelvis.

Let It Run – Stop paddling and return to the sit ready position in anticipation of the next

command.

Lifting water – Continuing the stroke backwards after the paddle can no longer be held in a vertical position. It results in lifting water out of the river and onto the lap of the person behind you. It also increases the coefficient of friction, slowing down the boat- Bad move.

Lilly dipping – Going through the motions of stroke but not applying force. Usually applied as a criticism.

Manager- One of the most thankless jobs, the dragon boat manager insures that everything non-coaching gets done. It includes being responsible for equipment, facilities, membership, waiver forms, welcome of novices and visitors, publicity, sponsorship, and insuring that the event Captains and even the coaching staff are doing their jobs. Fortunately, the manager can also delegate these jobs to someone else…..

Negative angle – The paddle position in which the paddle handle points forward and the blade points backward along the boat. When power is applied with the paddle in this

position, the paddler lifts water.

Neutral angle – See vertical.

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Obliques – Abdominal core muscles that run at 45 degree angles along the sides of the torso.

Outboard- towards the outside of the boat.

Outside arm (lower arm) – Paddler’s arm that is on the outward side of the boat. The

outside hand grips the paddle shaft just above the blade.

Paddle (1) - The instrument of choice of anyone facing forward in a boat. It differs from an

oar in that it is held in both hands. An oar is attached to the side of the boat and used by

confused people who sit backwards in boats. The paddle has three sections- the grip (handle),

the shaft, and blade.

Paddle (2) – Command given to start paddling when not in a race or simulated race situation.

Paddles On The Water – The command to hold paddle firmly with both hands with the

paddle blade extended out over and resting flat on the water surface. The shaft rests on the

gunwales. This position greatly stabilizes the boat.

Paddles Up – Command to move from the sit ready position to the set up position. Usually

used in practice sessions in place of the command “Attention”.

Percent Effort- How much energy is applied to an individual stroke. To use 100% effort is

to put all potential power into a stroke. It is synonymous with lifting maximum weight- one

cannot lift maximum weight more than 2-3 repetitions. During practices, the coaches will call

for paddlers to exert anywhere from 20% to 100% effort during different times. During a

race, the percent effort may vary between 85 % (race pace) to 100% (Power 10 and Bring It

Home).

Plant- See “drive”

Plant and Pull- Driving the paddle into the water and pulling it back through a long travel.

Also an exercise drill designed to learn to define and separate the two phases of the stroke.

Port- left side of the boat

Positive angle – The paddle position with the blade pointing forward and the grip pointing

backwards along the side of the boat.

Power 10- Command given during race or practice piece to increase the effort of each stroke

to 100% of the Paddler’s potential power for the next 10 strokes. There are also Power 20s,

etc.

Pull- See “Travel (2)”

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Race Pace- The stroke rate and power used during the middle part of a race. The stroke rate

may be between 50-70 strokes per minute, and the effort should be about 85% of each

Paddler’s potential power on each stroke.

Reach – Command to encourage paddlers to rotate 3-6 inches further forward for the set up

position.

Release- Command to terminate the “Hold Water” position and return to the sit ready

position.

Return – Removing the paddle from the water at the end of the stroke and bringing it

forward through the set up (see rotate).

Rotate – Returning the paddle forward through the air to the set up position for the stroke by

twisting the torso along its axis of rotation.

Rushing- To paddle faster than the stroke and out of time with the rest of the crew.

Set up- The body/paddle position at the beginning of each stroke. The paddler assumes the

A-Frame. This is the position that the paddler returns to at the end of every rotation (return)

in preparation of the next stroke.

Sit Ready – Sitting upright, with the paddle resting horizontally on the lap with the blade

pointing out. The paddler in Sit Ready is quiet, breathing deeply and ready for the next

command.

Six pack – Six paddlers in back of boat who apply extra power at the end of a race at the

command of the steerer.

Starboard- right side of the boat

Start (1) - The beginning of a race.

Start (2) - The sequence of strokes designed to overcome the inertia of a resting boat at the

beginning of a race. A typical sequence may be 5 long hard slow strokes followed by 15

strokes at an increasing pace. The stroke rate may reach 90 strokes per minute. After the

start, the boat moves into race pace.

Steerer (Helm, Steersman) - The person at the back of the boat who operates the steering

oar and controls the boat. The Steerer is in ultimate charge of the boat at all times in practice

and in races. They are responsible for the safety of the boat and crew. If a steerer determines

that a situation is dangerous, neither coach nor crew can countermand their authority.

Stern- rear end of the boat.

Stroke (1) - The form and act of paddling the boat. A single stroke is composed movement

through four positions- 1) The paddler rotates into the Set Up, 2) drives the paddle down and

forward to the Catch position, 3) Pulls the paddle backward (Travel), and 4) cleanly exits the

paddle from the water and returns it forward to the Set Up.

Stroke (Lead Stroke) (2) - The paddler seated in the first row, on the right. Stroke sets the

stroke rate for the entire boat. All other paddles in the boat are to stay in time with Stroke.

Stroke Rate- The number of strokes per minute, on average.

Swamp (ing)- to accidentally fill the boat with water.

Timing – The act of all paddlers stroking being in exact time with the Lead Stroke.

Travel (1) – The stroke distance between the initial point of paddle insertion into the water

and the exit point of an individual stroke.

Travel (2) - The act of pulling the paddle back through the water from the point of insertion

(the catch position) to the exit position. Also called “Pull”.

Vertical (aspect) – Straight up and down- The most favorable and efficient position of the

paddle in the water during travel, it most effectively applies force to the boat. It applies to

both axis of the paddle (as when viewed from the front and side). When viewed from above

the grip and shaft should be on top of each other.

Your Boat – Command given from coach to steerer and vice versa to pass command of the

boat.

Vertical two axis – See vertical above.