[Paddlewise] Is the roll good?

Thanks again to all the people who answered my questions about which rolls I 
should be working on.  I am 20 for 20 over the last week.  A little over half 
were extended paddle and the rest regular screw rolls (both types with my 
Greenland paddle).  I even did some out in the bay.  It really was not much 
rougher than the pool, but it was a psychological barrier.  

This Sunday we are doing a pool session and I really want to work on 
technique.  I am trying to get past the "good roll = up and bad roll = upside 
down stage" and learn to feel the difference between a really solid roll and 
one that just barely gets me up (and probably would not get me up in real 
conditions). What sort of things should I be paying attention to?

1) Less force on the paddle = better roll  ?
2) Almost going over the other way = better roll ?
3) Paddle blade depth at finish of roll - shallower = better roll?
4) You just know it when you feel it you over analytical dummy

I am not sure if the above actually are better or worse but they are some of 
the differences I do seem to notice. Should I be paying attention to any of 
these or to something else? Is there something that someone working with me 
would notice?  One of the paddlers is going to videotape us so that may help 
a lot.

I am not feeling a "hip snap" the way it has been described to me.  I am 
aware of a change of pressure from one knee to the other and I feel my 
lay-back, but I do not feel the bending from one side to the other that I 
think I should feel.  Is it just happening so quickly that I miss it (I am 
getting up) or should I really be aware of the bending? 

I was thinking of trying some rolls with just half a paddle to help me check 
my technique.  Is this a good way to improve?  Should I be working longer 
with a full paddle before I try this (ie can it hurt my technique)?

I will also be trying my first offside rolls this weekend.  I hope its easier 
than going from a stern rudder to a cross-draw.  

I would appreciate any advice you would be willing to share.

Mark J. Arnold
MJAkayaker_at_aol.com
  
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