1.

During the push phase the paddlers eyes are still focused ahead and the arms and hands are accelerated out the back.

A good drill for this part of the stroke is to make sure the thumb flicks the rail of the board as the hands leave the water at the end of the stroke.

For optimal release, it is best if the hands are still facing vertically and lifted straight out of the water.  When the hands are brought back too far and are facing in an upwards direction, it produces a downward force on the board and maximal forward drive is lost.

2.

The “Z” angle through the legs and bottom has not changed, allowing the board to ‘run flat’ and drive directly forward instead of rocking up and down.

Note that the paddlers eyes are still looking forward and the head is still the same height off the deck of the board as in the pull phase.

Keeping the head running parallel to the deck of the board and as low as possible will allow the paddler to keep the board running smoothly without rocking up and down and to bury their arms as deep as possible and produce a longer, stronger stroke.