If you’ve been racing for a while, at some point you’ll start thinking about stepping into the tactician role.
Every crewed boat needs one person responsible for where the boat goes and how it gets there. That responsibility has to sit with one individual. I’ll say this plainly—trying to make tactical decisions by committee during a race simply doesn’t work. There’s too much happening, too fast, and everyone already has a job that demands full attention.
If you want to be a good tactician, start by understanding the role properly—what it is, and just as importantly, what it isn’t.
What the role actually is
The tactician is not the skipper and not “in charge” of everything.
A better way to think about it is:
- You are coordinating outcomes, not controlling people
- You are one role within a system, not above it
Comparable roles would be a quarterback calling plays, a point guard directing flow, or an operations manager ensuring execution. Important, yes—but still part of a team structure.
The strongest teams are built on individuals doing their jobs well. Your job is to make clear, timely decisions that allow everyone else to perform theirs.
Preparation: this is where it starts
Good tacticians don’t turn up and “wing it”.
Before the event:
- Read the Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions thoroughly
- Understand the course area—charts, geography, known patterns
- Review the forecast and expected conditions
- Know the logistics (start times, formats, scoring)
Then communicate early with the team:
- Conditions and expectations
- Daily timing
- Objectives for the regatta
- Any updates or changes
This isn’t admin—it’s leadership. If you are organised and clear from the outset, you’ll get buy-in immediately.
At the venue: gather intelligence
Before racing begins:
- Attend the briefing
- Pay attention to how the race committee is thinking
- Build a basic rapport where appropriate
You’re looking for context—anything that might influence how racing is run. Small details can matter.
Before racing each day, align the team
Run a short, structured pre-brief:
- Schedule and race format
- Conditions
- Roles and responsibilities
- Communication plan
One critical rule—control the noise.
You cannot process input from everyone. Nominate one experienced crew member as your primary feedback source for:
- Relative speed and height
- Traffic
- Wind development
Everyone else focuses on execution.
During the race: clarity wins
Once the sequence starts, your job is to stay composed and think ahead.
- Keep communication short and precise
- Describe what’s happening and what’s likely next
- Keep your eyes out of the boat at all times
Above all, anticipate.
You should be preparing the team for situations before they happen:
- “Boat on starboard, we’re not crossing—prepare to duck.”
- “If they tack, we respond immediately.”
This gives the crew time to act, rather than react.
The start: high pressure, high impact
The start is where alignment between the tactician and helm is critical.
Be clear on:
- Where do you want to start
- What is the first move after the gun
Key points:
- Define your position on the line early
- Avoid unnecessary congestion
- Protect space, particularly on port approaches
- Use one consistent time caller
Consistency here is far more valuable than trying to be clever.
Leeward gates: decide early, commit
Gate roundings are busy moments, and your crew will be fully occupied.
That means:
- Make the call early
- Keep reinforcing it as you approach
- If uncertain, communicate your current preference
Avoid last-second changes—they rarely work in your favour.
You are always balancing two things:
- Course advantage
- Traffic and clean air
A clean, well-executed rounding beats a risky late switch.
After each race: reset immediately
Once a race is finished, move on.
Don’t overreact to results—good or bad. Maintain a steady approach and focus on the next start.
Over a series, consistency of mindset matters just as much as performance.
End of day: debrief with purpose
Debriefs are valuable, but only if done properly.
Avoid rushed, emotional discussions straight off the water.
A better approach:
- Debrief when the team is settled
- Keep it constructive and focused
Start with:
“What can I do better?”
Then work through the group.
The objective is improvement, not blame.
After the regatta: close the loop
Follow up with a short summary:
- What worked
- What didn’t
- What can improve next time
Invite feedback.
The best teams treat this as an ongoing process, not a one-off conversation.
Final thought
Good tacticians are not defined by one decision or one race.
They:
- Prepare thoroughly
- Communicate clearly
- Stay composed
- Think ahead
- Build trust within the team
Do that consistently, and you don’t just make better calls—you make the entire team better.
