Many readers have different opinions about Al Ulbrickson's coaching. Some may think he's harsh and inefficient, others think he's just reserved and strategic. The claim that is best supported in the novel is that he is reserved and strategic, because he actually pays attention and knows how to apply his observations.
To start, Coach Ulbrickson has great attention to detail. He pays close attention to his athletes, assessing their personal strengths and weaknesses. “Ulbrickson had an uncanny ability to see what each of us was capable of, and he knew how to get it out of us.” Coach Ulbrickson applies his observations by making sure every crew member is playing the perfect role, so that they can reach their full potential.
Second, Ulbrickson is very experienced with rowing, so we know he was strategic with his coaching. "He had been the lead rower, or stroke oar, of a Washington crew that had won national championships in 1924 and 1926. The college quickly hired him as a coach after graduation. Now rowing was the center of his life and almost a religion to him." Having such a deep background in rowing makes Ulbrickson a reliable coach, we can trust that he knows what he’s doing and knows how to get those boys to harness their full capabilities.…show more content… While that was pretty rough, ultimately, he helped the boys build resilience and determination. It’s not just about rowing faster. It’s about rowing better. And rowing better.well, that’s about everything else that counts in life: the ability to set goals, to persevere, to sacrifice, to work as a team, and to believe in oneself.” Coach Ulbrickson wasn’t “too hard on the boys” he was helping them build
