My lazy right arm

Try this... a.) force yourself to breath every two to four cycles. b.) try to drag just your fingertips on the surface during your free recovery by lifting the elbow first, and then moving the hand out to the side and around to the catch, all the while just dragging the tips of the fingers. c.) post a video of the above.

Also try to breathe on the other side, this will show you how you favor that arm. Try using paddles .

The simplest solution is to lock your elbow and make a straight arm recovery. Anything more is just guessing on the part of the readers. Your stroke is comprised of many interwoven parts, the lazy elbow is only one symptom. Have a coach or swimming professional diagnose your stroke. It will be worth any money you pay.

In addition to the fingerdrag drill you can also try the "zipper" drill which is similar. When you make your recovery, extend your thumb and touch it to the side of your hip/thigh. Drag it all the way up along side your body up to right below your armpit, as if you were zipping up the side of your body. Forces you to keep your elbows high and close :)

How your recovery "looks" is overrated. The only thing that really matters is what's going on underwater.

How your recovery "looks" is overrated. The only thing that really matters is what's going on underwater. agreed, which is why I posed the question, do you really need to try to fix it? dropping elbows during the pull is a problem as is not having EVF & LPP EVF early vertical forearm LPP late perpendicular palm

tv.swimmingworldmagazine.com/.../6720 Yes, what is going on above the water is less important than under, but it all has to work together. I listened to this tip and Eddie says the recovery can help set up a good catch and pull.

Can you please explain or expand or give examples why that is the case? Simple. You aren't propelling yourself during the recovery. Why did Janet Evans have multiple shoulder injuries if she has had a good underwater stroke technique for a long time? I don't recall Janet having lots of shoulder problems, but if she did, why do you assume the problems were caused by her recovery? edit: here's an interview with Janet where she specifically says she's never had shoulder injuries: www.insidesocal.com/.../q-and-a-with-ja.html To wit: Q: How in the heck have you managed to avoid a major injury for so long? What's the secret? A: In my sport, any shoulder injury - that's it. For me, my stroke doesn't put a lot of pressure on the shoulders.

I have the same problem, but on my left. My left arm has historically just been there for show. But I'm trying to make it pull its weight, mostly by working on fingertip drag drills and alternate side breathing.

How your recovery "looks" is overrated. The only thing that really matters is what's going on underwater. Can you please explain or expand or give examples why that is the case? Why did Janet Evans have multiple shoulder injuries if she has had a good underwater stroke technique for a long time? Give examples on how bad the recovery can be or look but maintaining excellent underwater pull/technique before a shoulder injury can occur.