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
  • After reading these posts I started paying more attention to my turns. Something I really had not done before. I have discovered I do not have the greatest turns. I flip the exact same way every time. I pull my left arm down, then while my right arm is stroking I take a breath. I therefore breath on the second stroke every time. Why? Apparently I both like and crave oxygen. I do not have a great streamline after a flip and really want to flutter kick out of the turn, rather than fly kick. This discussion has really lead me to take a look at my turns and I now know what I need to work on. So, thank you for that.:bow:
Reply
  • After reading these posts I started paying more attention to my turns. Something I really had not done before. I have discovered I do not have the greatest turns. I flip the exact same way every time. I pull my left arm down, then while my right arm is stroking I take a breath. I therefore breath on the second stroke every time. Why? Apparently I both like and crave oxygen. I do not have a great streamline after a flip and really want to flutter kick out of the turn, rather than fly kick. This discussion has really lead me to take a look at my turns and I now know what I need to work on. So, thank you for that.:bow:
Children
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