Rowing · Shin Angle at Legs-Down

Why this matters

This is the first of two sequencing checkpoints in the drive. The standard rowing sequence is: legs finish → back swings → arms draw. If the shins are still well past vertical when the legs "should be" done, it means the back has started swinging while the legs are still extending — the classic bum shoot fault. Power that should have flowed cleanly from legs to handle leaks sideways into the lower back instead.

Picking the right frame matters. Look for the moment the knees first reach full lockout — not the finish. There's a noticeable visual cue: the seat speed peaks just as the knees lock out, then plateaus while the back continues to swing.

What good looks like

Shins essentially vertical (or 1–2° past). Hips are still slightly behind the shoulders; the back has not yet swung open. The handle is approximately at knee height, on its way past.

Common faults

• Shins still well past vertical (15°+) — bum shoot. The seat travelled back before the legs finished their job. Power output drops because the hip extensors fire against an open knee instead of a closed one. Confirm against Body Angle at Legs-Down — if the body has also opened past vertical, you've caught the fault on both ends.
• Knees never quite flat — common in shorter athletes or those with foot-strap tightness issues. The drive runs out of leg before the standard layback can be reached.

Coaching cues

• "Press, then swing." A two-beat cue that separates the legs from the back.
• "Heels down, hips behind shoulders." Holds the back in place while the legs finish.

Related measurements

• Body Angle at Legs-Down — the other half of the bum-shoot detector. Both should agree.
• Shin Angle at Catch — same shank line, opposite phase. Together they tell the slide story.
• Trunk at Handle-Past-Knees — the second sequencing checkpoint.