I look at that and can only think: "Applying any power in the first 25 to 30 degrees of motion is a complete waste of energy".
There's another way to think of this, though. If you want a full extension out front your arm must go through some range of motion before reaching 30 degrees, so why waste that part of the stroke even if it is only contributing a small amount to forward propulsion? I think this is where a "sprint" stroke versus a "distance" stroke diverge somewhat. In a sprint your goal is to apply as much force as you can. This means a rapid turnover and getting as much from your pull as possible. In distance you have to start emphasizing efficiency over pure power and that's where your vector mechanics come into play more.
By spearing the water you probably break Newtons third law. I believe if you spear the water you actually will not be steamlined.
I think I see what you're getting at. You aren't breaking Newton's Third Law, but you certainly are governed by it. "Spearing" your arm in will cause an equal and opposite reaction, so it's obviously going to slow you down. But the question is whether this additional drag is overcome by the increased forward propulsion your arm will then have in the power phase of the pull.
I look at that and can only think: "Applying any power in the first 25 to 30 degrees of motion is a complete waste of energy".
There's another way to think of this, though. If you want a full extension out front your arm must go through some range of motion before reaching 30 degrees, so why waste that part of the stroke even if it is only contributing a small amount to forward propulsion? I think this is where a "sprint" stroke versus a "distance" stroke diverge somewhat. In a sprint your goal is to apply as much force as you can. This means a rapid turnover and getting as much from your pull as possible. In distance you have to start emphasizing efficiency over pure power and that's where your vector mechanics come into play more.
By spearing the water you probably break Newtons third law. I believe if you spear the water you actually will not be steamlined.
I think I see what you're getting at. You aren't breaking Newton's Third Law, but you certainly are governed by it. "Spearing" your arm in will cause an equal and opposite reaction, so it's obviously going to slow you down. But the question is whether this additional drag is overcome by the increased forward propulsion your arm will then have in the power phase of the pull.
