The following article is being reposted.  It shows the correct form to be used in each component of the Land Assessments.  If you are planning to record an assessment, please review the guidelines.  Coaches will not count a situp, pullup or pushup if it isn't done with the correct form.   If you have any questions, click here to email Coach Minh.

For the timed exercises (Pushups and Sit ups) The timer will let the participant know when they 30 and 10 second marks are. A coach will Count and if you do NOT hear a count then you SHOULD either continue your progression or that one will NOT count.

For the Mile Run/Walk, A Coach will announce your time every lap (4 laps).

Strength Test (Push-Ups) - The subject assumes a front-leaning position with the hands placed where they are most comfortable. The back, buttocks and legs must be straight from head to heels. Begin the push-up by bending the elbows and lowering the entire body until the tops of the upper arms, shoulders and lower back are aligned and parallel to the floor. Return to the starting position by locking the elbows. During the test the subject cannot relieve pressure from the upper body while in the resting position. If the subject does not keep the body straight or locks the elbows completely, that repetition does not count. The score is the number of push-ups completed in one minute.

Muscular Endurance (Bent-Knee sit ups) - The subject lies on the back with knees flexed at a right angle. A partner kneels at the subject's feet and presses down on the subject's insteps to keep the heels in contact with the floor. When ready the signal "GO" is given and the subject sits up to touch the knees with the elbows. Without pause, the subject returns to the starting position just long enough for the shoulders to touch the mat and immediately sits up again. The score is the number of sit-ups that can be completed in the allotted time. Norms have been computed for one minute period for men and for women.

Pullups – This is the ultimate exercise to test upper body strength. It requires grip strength from your hand and forearms and pulling power from your biceps and back muscles. The proper pull-up requires your palms to be facing away from you and your hands just greater than shoulder width. Pull you chin over the bar and simply drop back to the starting position with your arms straight and biceps relaxed.

The Proper Pull-up (regular grip) - Grab the pull-up bar with your hands placed about shoulder width apart and your palms facing away from you. Pull yourself upward until your chin is over the bar and complete the exercise by slowly moving to the hanging position. Pull-ups (negatives) - If you cannot do any pull-ups, you should try “negatives”. Negatives are half pull-ups. All you have to do is get your chin over the bar by standing on something or having spotter push you over the bar. Then, you slowly lower yourself all the way down - let your arms hang grasping the bar fully stretched. Keep your feet up and fight gravity for a count of 5 seconds. This will get your arms used to supporting your weight.

Assisted Pull-ups - This is the first step to being able to perform pullups. Using the bar that is 3-4 feet off the ground, sit under it and grab with the regular grip. Straighten your back, hips, and slightly bend your knees while your feet remain on the floor and pull yourself to the bar so that your chest touches the bar. Repeat as required. This is a great way to start out if you cannot do any pull-ups at all. You can also do this on a pair of parallel bars that are used for dips. These are also great to do after you can no longer perform anymore dead-hang pullups. This is a good replacement for the Lat Pulldown machine as well.

[Meet Houston Heat's newest Coach, Brian Wang]

I have been paddling since August 2007 and have only competed in this past October regatta here in Houston. I have a background in rowing in college and have loved being out on the water in kayaks and canoes all of my life. I was first was aware of dragon boat racing several years ago and knew it was a rapidly growing sport. As a newbie coach, I am still learning a lot and am excited to share what limited knowledge I have. Dragon boating is indeed an total team sport and performing in synch is so much more important than paddling harder/faster than one's competition. Dragon boating is growing so much that we have the amazing opportunity to visit great cities in both the US and Canada to compete and meet other teams. The sport is really about learning, sharing and improving oneself while getting a fantastic workout. My other interests are eating, sleeping, movies, volleyball, basketball, racquetball, beach combing, travel, and oh yeah, did I mention eating?

Mandatory for paddlers hoping to compete with the team in Long Beach. If you are unable to attend this day, contact a Coach to reschedule.

Location: Memorial Park by the stretching area (near the tennis courts)
Date: Sunday, June 17
Time: 8:00-10:00AM

1 Minute/ Push-up
1 Minute/ Sit-Up
Pull-Up
1 Mile Run

For the timed exercises (Pushups and Sit ups) The timer will let the participant know when they 30 and 10 second marks are. A coach will Count and if you do NOT hear a count then you SHOULD either continue your progression or that one will NOT count.

For the Mile Run/Walk, A Coach will announce your time every lap (4 laps).

Strength Test (Push-Ups) - The subject assumes a front-leaning position with the hands placed where they are most comfortable. The back, buttocks and legs must be straight from head to heels. Begin the push-up by bending the elbows and lowering the entire body until the tops of the upper arms, shoulders and lower back are aligned and parallel to the floor. Return to the starting position by locking the elbows. During the test the subject cannot relieve pressure from the upper body while in the resting position. If the subject does not keep the body straight or locks the elbows completely, that repetition does not count. The score is the number of push-ups completed in one minute.

Muscular Endurance (Bent-Knee sit ups) - The subject lies on the back with knees flexed at a right angle. A partner kneels at the subject's feet and presses down on the subject's insteps to keep the heels in contact with the floor. When ready the signal "GO" is given and the subject sits up to touch the knees with the elbows. Without pause, the subject returns to the starting position just long enough for the shoulders to touch the mat and immediately sits up again. The score is the number of sit-ups that can be completed in the allotted time. Norms have been computed for one minute period for men and for women.

Pullups – This is the ultimate exercise to test upper body strength. It requires grip strength from your hand and forearms and pulling power from your biceps and back muscles. The proper pull-up requires your palms to be facing away from you and your hands just greater than shoulder width. Pull you chin over the bar and simply drop back to the starting position with your arms straight and biceps relaxed.

The Proper Pull-up (regular grip) - Grab the pull-up bar with your hands placed about shoulder width apart and your palms facing away from you. Pull yourself upward until your chin is over the bar and complete the exercise by slowly moving to the hanging position. Pull-ups (negatives) - If you cannot do any pull-ups, you should try “negatives”. Negatives are half pull-ups. All you have to do is get your chin over the bar by standing on something or having spotter push you over the bar. Then, you slowly lower yourself all the way down - let your arms hang grasping the bar fully stretched. Keep your feet up and fight gravity for a count of 5 seconds. This will get your arms used to supporting your weight.

Assisted Pull-ups - This is the first step to being able to perform pullups. Using the bar that is 3-4 feet off the ground, sit under it and grab with the regular grip. Straighten your back, hips, and slightly bend your knees while your feet remain on the floor and pull yourself to the bar so that your chest touches the bar. Repeat as required. This is a great way to start out if you cannot do any pull-ups at all. You can also do this on a pair of parallel bars that are used for dips. These are also great to do after you can no longer perform anymore dead-hang pullups. This is a good replacement for the Lat Pulldown machine as well.

The following video shows a breakdown of the dragon boat stroke. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4DQ2vTT3O8