Hi guys, I switched to competitive swimming from normal casual swimming half a year ago and it has been fun but exhausting >"activate" and engage them, along with guides on feeling them and whether i am using them?
Also, is it true that you are supposed to hold and pull with your forearm instead of your wrists and hands?
Thanks alot everyone, really appreciate it if you can teach me ways to activate and feel the lats in freestyle, I am willing to train hard for it :)
If you don't feel like you are engaging your lats much it probably means you aren't swimming with a "high elbow" stroke. You are likely dropping your elbow and this is an inefficient stroke. When your hand is extended out in front of you at the beginning of the stroke you want to get into a high elbow position right away. Look up other threads about early vertical forearm or EVF. I've heard it described as feeling like you are reaching over a barrel to start your pull. I think you will find if you swim like this you will engage the lats much more.
If you don't feel like you are engaging your lats much it probably means you aren't swimming with a "high elbow" stroke. You are likely dropping your elbow and this is an inefficient stroke. When your hand is extended out in front of you at the beginning of the stroke you want to get into a high elbow position right away. Look up other threads about early vertical forearm or EVF. I've heard it described as feeling like you are reaching over a barrel to start your pull. I think you will find if you swim like this you will engage the lats much more.
