It is very important that all Sweeps/Helms use a standard set of calls. This is not only a safety thing, but helps teams combine for nationals and other regattas.
| Call | Action |
| Are you ready | The first call from the starter. Drummer holds up both arms if crew not ready. |
| Attention | Move paddle to the start position (paddles up). In some events paddles can be slightly in the water |
| Go (start paddling) | In a race, the starter usually fires a gun or blows a horn or megaphone siren. |
| Back 2/3/4 rows/seats | Only the paddlers in the designated rows paddle under the sweeps instruction. Other paddlers have their blades out of the water. Use this to manoeuvre for start position. |
| Dig it In | stop the boat by holding the blade vertically in the water |
| Draw front left or right | Is used by the nominated seats to pull the front or back of the dragon boat back in line. The opposite side should hold paddles flat. |
| Draw back left or right | Is used by the nominated seats to pull the front or back of the dragon boat back in line. The opposite side should hold paddles flat. |
| Easy | all paddlers to stop paddling, stop what you have been directed to do or instructed to do (STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING) |
| Head Count Or Number off | at the beginning before leaving the bank/beach/pontoon |
| Hold water | this is when the paddlers hold their blades still in the water to halt the boats motion and to keep the dragon boat stationary |
| Let it Run | paddles come out of the water and let the dragon boat glide |
| Paddles Behind | paddles are placed in a backward position for paddling backwards |
| Paddles Flat | paddlers press the blade of the paddle flat on the water to stabilize the dragon boat |
| Paddles Out | paddles come out of the water and let the dragon boat glide |
| Paddles Up | Move paddle to the start position (paddles up). In some events paddles can be slightly in the water |
| Rest/Relax | crew members lean forward with arms straight, resting on the gunwales and with the paddle at a 90 degree angle, nearly touching the paddler in front of them |
| Stop (brake) the boat | paddlers stop the dragon boat quickly by holding the blade vertically in the water |
