In freestyle and backstroke, perhaps everyone has a favorite side to start the first stroke, either left arm, or right arm, making the first pull. How many can start on both sides equally well? Even if not equally well, how many can nonetheless make a fairly okay start on the weaker side? Do the professionals train on both sides?
In the grand scheme of things I'd say it's not that important.
Agreed.
One thing I would consider is whether or not you are trying to breathe on the first stroke. I breathe to my right side almost exclusively. I generally try to take my first stroke off the wall with my left (no breath). If I'm gassed (more common nowadays...), then I sacrifice a little efficiency and take the first stroke with my right arm and take that all-important first breath too. If you are having trouble starting with one side but not the other, I wonder if you're trying to breathe on that first stroke and that's to your normally non-breathing side.
In the grand scheme of things I'd say it's not that important.
Agreed.
One thing I would consider is whether or not you are trying to breathe on the first stroke. I breathe to my right side almost exclusively. I generally try to take my first stroke off the wall with my left (no breath). If I'm gassed (more common nowadays...), then I sacrifice a little efficiency and take the first stroke with my right arm and take that all-important first breath too. If you are having trouble starting with one side but not the other, I wonder if you're trying to breathe on that first stroke and that's to your normally non-breathing side.
