Which arm do you stroke with after the turn?

Former Member
Former Member
In her book Speed Demon Fiona Holt recommends you stroke on the side which is angled down to the bottom of the pool after the turn. So if you place your feet in the two o' clock position on the wall, you will turn with your right hip angled down and, therefore, your break-out stroke should be with your right arm. If you turn at the 10 o' clock position, you should stroke with your left arm first. The reasoning behind this is that the lower hip facilitates a longer reach and thus puts you in a more powerful position. She also goes on to say: "If you're not already doing this the implications are huge because transforms you from a swimmer that typically breathes on the first stroke after surfacing into one that breathes on the third stroke after surfacing." I turn to the right but up until now have always pulled with my left hand first. This is because when I am in the streamline position my left hand is under my right hand. Also, I remember reading somewhere (and of course I can't remember where now) that the break-out stroke should be with the left hand. So which hand do you stroke with after the turn?
Parents
  • Why would this be the case? It seems to me this is wholly dependent on what side one breathes to. My personal philosophy is to pull with my left arm first since I breathe to the right. This definitely prevents breathing on the first arm pull. I will admit when I get tired I sometimes pull with my right arm first to get a breath right at the breakout. This is me as well. I rotate toward my left off the flipturn, so my left arm/hand is closer to the bottom coming off the streamline. Our coach is always preaching "No one stroke breathers!" When I'm in distance free events I catch myself doing this 1 stroke breath though, but I am in more need of oxygen as well. For maintaining speed off the turn, you should pull with the "bottom" arm and not breathe.
Reply
  • Why would this be the case? It seems to me this is wholly dependent on what side one breathes to. My personal philosophy is to pull with my left arm first since I breathe to the right. This definitely prevents breathing on the first arm pull. I will admit when I get tired I sometimes pull with my right arm first to get a breath right at the breakout. This is me as well. I rotate toward my left off the flipturn, so my left arm/hand is closer to the bottom coming off the streamline. Our coach is always preaching "No one stroke breathers!" When I'm in distance free events I catch myself doing this 1 stroke breath though, but I am in more need of oxygen as well. For maintaining speed off the turn, you should pull with the "bottom" arm and not breathe.
Children
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