Glossary of Rowing Terms - The Commands

The Commands

"(#) Fall in/out"

These commands tell the rower(s) either to stop rowing or to start rowing with everyone else. (#) indicates the number of rower(s) who should start or stop – e.g. “Bow pair fall-out, stern pair fall-in in two..”

"Ahead" or "Look Ahead"

Command shouted by a crew about to be overtaken by another crew, telling the overtaking crew of their presence.

"(#) Hit it" or "(#) row on"

Tells the rowers to row until told to stop –e.g. “Two, hit it...”

"Back it"

To have the rowers place their blades at the release position, squared, and push the oar handle towards the stern of the boat. This motion causes the shell to move backwards.

"Blades Down" or "Drop"

Used to tell the rowers to place their blades back on the water after performing an easy-all.

"Blades in (side)"

Tell the rowers on one side to pull their blades in, in order to prevent hitting an object or another boat in the water, or to let another crew pass on a narrow river.

"Cant it upriver/downriver"

While carrying the shell, the athletes are commanded to hold the shell in a diagonal position, the high side as stated.

"Check it/her down"

Square the oars in the water to stop the boat.

"Count Down" (or "number off")

Tells the crew to call out their seat number, starting at the bow, when ready to row.

"Down on port/starboard"

Means that the boat is leaning to one side or the other. Rowers on the side that is down must raise their hands, and the other side must lower their hands.

"Easy" (or "ease up")

(USA) To stop rowing hard.

"Easy oars" (or "Easy There")

(UK) To stop.

"Even it out" (or "even pressure")

This command tells the rowers to pull with even pressure on both sides. This is the complement to ease-up.

"Firm up"

Tells the rowers to apply more pressure as needed.

"Give her ten" (or "power ten")

Commands the crew to row 10 strokes of special effort. It is frequently given when a crew is attempting to pass another boat.

"Gunnel!"

A command by the coxswain, where the rowers all hit the gunnel (sides) of the boat with their oar handles. Used in set exercises occasionally.

"Hands in"

Tells the rowers to grab the ribs on the inside of the boat so that the boat can be rolled from heads. The coach or cox uses this command when the crew is putting the shell in the water.

"Hands on"

Tells the rowers to grab the boat next to their seats, so that the boat can be moved.

"Hands out" (or "sit ready to shove")

Tells the rowers to grab the dock in preparation for shoving off.

"Hard on port/starboard" (or "port/starboard pressure")

The rowers on that side of the boat must row harder (and the opposite side must row slightly easier) in order to facilitate a sharper turn.

"Heads" or "Heads Up"

Off the water, a shout to alert others to watch out for a boat being carried.

"Heads, ready, up"

Tells the rowers to press the boat above their heads.

"Hold it/her up"

(UK) Stop the boat.

"Hold it/her hard"

(UK) Emergency stop.

"Hold Water"

(USA) Emergency stop, also used after the command way enough. It instructs the rowers to square their blades in the water to stop the boat.

"In 2..."

Most water commands are appended prior to the command to take place after two strokes. For example "In 2, Power 10" or "In 2, Weigh-enough."

“Inside Grip”

A command used when lifting the boat. Grab the boat so that you can lift it over your head. Grab only the gunwale or hull structure - do not lift by the footstop assembly.

"Lay Hold" (or "hands on")

Command given telling the athletes to go to their stations and grab a hold of the boat.

"Let it/her run"

To stop rowing after a given piece of on the water rowing length, but to put the handles of the oars either to the gunwales or out in front of the rower, in such a manner that the oar paddles are parallel to the water yet not touching it. This allows the boat to glide for a distance leaving no paddle wake in the water. Similar, but not exactly the same is the command "Gunnel", where rowers push the oars until the handle touches the boat's gunwale.

"Paddle"

Tells a crew to row with just enough pressure to move the boat. The paddle command is also used to bring a crew down from full pressure at the end of a workout piece or race.

“Pick it / Picking”

A rapid stroke where rowers use only their arms and use minimal pressure. An effective and impressive way to turn a boat when done right.

"Power 10" (or "10 firm" )

The command to take 10 strokes at more than full pressure. Used for passing and gaining water in a race. (sometimes "Power 5", "Power 20", or "Power 30")

"Ready all, Row"

Begin rowing.

"Roll it"

Tells the crew to flip the boat over, in unison, from above their heads.

"Set it up"

Reminds the rowers to keep the boat on keel.

"Set ready"

Commands the crew to move to the catch blades buried, and be ready to start the race.

"Settle"

A command and a part of the race. This tells the rowers that the crew is going to bring the stroke rate down for the body of the race, but still maintain the pressure. This usually occurs in the middle of the race.

"Ship Oars"

Act of removing the oars from the oar locks and allowing them to float alongside the boat.

"Shoulders, ready, up"

Tells the crew to lift the boat from any position below their shoulders, up to shoulder height. Can be reversed to lower the boat from heads to shoulders, i.e., “Shoulders, ready, down!” This is the best position for carrying a shell.

"Sit in"

Tells the crew to get into the boat.

"Scull"

A command used if the stern is held by a stake boat. "Port scull" usually means Two seat takes Bow's oar in front of him/her and rows lightly with it. Likewise, "Starboard scull" means Three seat takes Two seat's oar and does the same. This is easier than having one seat take a stroke since it can move the boat in a more parallel direction.

"Swing it"

A command used when carrying a boat to start turning either bow or stern.

"Take the run off"

To stop rowing and hold the blades at a 45 degree angle in the water to slow the boat down.

“Touch it / Touching”

A stroke where rowers use only their arms and back. Used mostly for warm-up or to turn a boat.

"One foot up & out"

The command for exiting a team boat.

"On the square"

To row without feathering the blades on the recovery.

"Waist, ready, up"

Tells the crew to lift the shell to their waist.

"Watch your blades (side)"

Tells one side to look out at their blades, and take action to prevent them possibly hitting something.

"Way enough"

The command to stop rowing (i.e. creating "way") or, in some cases, whatever the rower is doing, whether it be walking with the boat overhead or rowing. Often pronounced way-nuf, wane-up or wane-off in the United States.