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?
I always come off the wall on my left side, so I pull with my left arm first. That lets me fully utilize the torque of that twist in the water, and gives a noticeably stronger initial pull than if I pull with my right arm, the one that's closer to the surface.
I personally don't think it matters which hand is on top. I can't see how it would affect your pull, since it doesn't alter your arm and body position. While my left hand is always on top, and I pull with my left arm as I come off the wall on my left side, it hasn't made any difference that I can feel when I've consciously pushed off with my right hand on top, but still pushing off on my left side and initiating the pull with my left arm.
I always come off the wall on my left side, so I pull with my left arm first. That lets me fully utilize the torque of that twist in the water, and gives a noticeably stronger initial pull than if I pull with my right arm, the one that's closer to the surface.
I personally don't think it matters which hand is on top. I can't see how it would affect your pull, since it doesn't alter your arm and body position. While my left hand is always on top, and I pull with my left arm as I come off the wall on my left side, it hasn't made any difference that I can feel when I've consciously pushed off with my right hand on top, but still pushing off on my left side and initiating the pull with my left arm.