https://community.usms.org/swimming/f/general/10257/questions-about-improving-freestyleHi there, I&#39;m new here so please bear with me :). A few questions about improving my freestyle stroke: 1) When moving your arm backwards, should you pull directly backwards or move your arm in a question mark-like fashion? A swim coach once told meen-USTelligent Community 12https://community.usms.org/thread/170129?ContentTypeID=1Sat, 29 Oct 2011 06:44:59 GMT3187ac58-ba85-4314-b79a-c45cd885e09a:754292f6-6a0c-432d-8190-1d9ebffc0060Allen StarkThere have been a few threads about S pull vs the straight pull such as forums.usms.org/showthread.php . Straight pull seems preferred by most.<div style="clear:both;"></div>https://community.usms.org/thread/170113?ContentTypeID=1Sat, 29 Oct 2011 06:09:27 GMT3187ac58-ba85-4314-b79a-c45cd885e09a:378fc7b3-b115-49be-acc5-44c06874c8e5rtodd1. It will always be a question mark, or s pull or whatever. There will be some sort of wiggle. Remember to have arm enter shoulder width and let the fingertips drop down keeping your elbow high, then initiate your pull. 2. hand down. 3. Most swimming is done with both arms out in front of you, or front quadrant. this helps your balance and keeps your hips up. Check out some video of Ian Thorpe and Cullen Jones who really demonstrate this catch up technique. 4. Swimmers may not look like they are using their hands, but the hands are often used to leverage the body over, even though they don&#39;t move. When done right the arms are outstretched in a streamline before your feet ever touch the wall. If this does not happen, then yes your arms will slow you down.<div style="clear:both;"></div>