Technique invariably falls apart, partly due to the increased tension of the effort, but the athlete learns what her maximum effort is. Athletes notice how much less than their maximum they usually row at. If they try to row at their maximum, they quickly become completely exhausted after 20 or 30 strokes. With this approach, athletes can take more responsibility to work harder. The coach is relieved of at least part of the burden of motivating his athletes and the possible ensuing resentment he may have for that burden.
Interval training includes the same psychological learning.
When a crew can row a second 500 at full power without fading more than 7 to 8 seconds, it is ready to tackle 1000 meter intervals. If the athlete is fit, fear of longer intervals lessens as he learns that they are not so hard and his performance does not suffer during the longer intervals. Through repeated trials, the crew gains complete confidence that it can row 2000 meters at specified maximum pressure. It is an approach to the psychology of performance that is unique to the coach. A sports psychology consultant does not have the expertise, nor should she venture into the coach's province of designing workouts to shape the development of an athlete's mental attitude or in this case mental fortitude.