Sculling
Sculling is the discipline in which each rower uses two oars, one in each hand, propelling the boat symmetrically from both sides.
Overview
In sculling, each rower holds two shorter oars, called sculls, with one in each hand. Because a single sculler controls both sides of the boat, the discipline can be practised alone as well as in a crew.
Sculling boats include the single, the double, and the quad. These classes are commonly raced without a coxswain, so the rowers themselves handle steering and balance.
With both hands driving matching oars, sculling puts particular emphasis on symmetry and even blade work, and on keeping the narrow boat balanced through each stroke.
What defines it
- Each rower uses two oars, called sculls, one in each hand.
- The single scull is rowed by one person, who controls both oars alone.
- Common boat classes include the single (1x), double (2x), and quad (4x).
- Sculling boats are commonly raced without a coxswain, with the rowers steering themselves.
- Coordinating both hands makes symmetry, balance, and timing central to the stroke.
Getting started
- 1Beginners often start sculling in a wider, more stable training boat, frequently on calm water with an instructor close by.
- 2Early practice tends to focus on handling both oars together and on finding the boat's balance at a gentle pace.
Other Rowing disciplines
The forms of Rowing sit alongside each other — explore the rest.
Explore across the knowledge base
Follow the threads that connect Sculling to the rest of SocialSportHub.
Sports
- RowingA rhythmic, full-body endurance sport on the water or on an indoor machine.
- Race WalkingA technique-driven endurance sport that turns walking into a fast, low-impact discipline.
- BaseballA bat-and-ball team sport where two sides alternate between batting and fielding to score runs.
- CanoeingA classic open-boat paddle sport, propelled with a single-bladed paddle, ideal for calm lakes and gentle rivers.
- WrestlingA grappling sport of takedowns and control where two athletes compete to pin or out-position each other.
Rules
- Double dribbleA basketball violation for dribbling with two hands at once, or for dribbling again after picking up the ball.
- Two-bounce ruleA pickleball rule requiring both the serve and the return to bounce once before players may hit the ball out of the air.
- Handball offenceA foul in football committed when an outfield player deliberately handles or controls the ball with the hand or arm.
- Volleyball rotationThe rule that players rotate one position clockwise each time their team wins back the serve.
Techniques
- One-Handed BackhandA backhand groundstroke struck with a single hand on the grip, driving through the ball with a full extension of the hitting arm.
- Volleyball SetAn overhead pass using the fingertips of both hands to place the ball accurately for a teammate to attack.
- Crossover DribbleA basketball dribbling move that switches the ball quickly from one hand to the other to change direction and get past a defender.
Facilities
- Football pitchThe large rectangular grass or artificial-turf field on which football (soccer) is played, with a goal at each end.
- Volleyball courtA rectangular court split by a high net over which two teams rally the ball, played indoors or on sand.
- Basketball courtA rectangular hard-surfaced court with a raised hoop and backboard at each end where basketball is played.