The two fundamental reference points in the
anatomy of a rowing stroke are the
catch where the
oar blade is placed in the
water, and the
extraction (also known as the 'finish', 'release' or 'tapping down') where the oar blade is removed from the water. After the blade is placed in the water at the
catch, the
rower applies pressure to the oar levering the boat forward which is called the
drive phase of the stroke. Once the rower
extracts the oar from the water, the
recovery phase begins, setting up the rower's body for the next stroke.