I saw this in a video about swimming, chocolate milk, and Nathan Adrian. Check it out around the 28 second mark.
www.youtube.com/watch
Adrian holds a flat paddle at its far end (no straps, only attachment to the paddle are his fingers and palms) and swims freestyle. I started trying that after watching this video and absolutely LOVE it. I've made it a regular part of my routine. It is kind of like using three EVF swimming tools in one. One, it locks my wrist (like the forearm fulcrum). Two, it takes my hand out of the equation (like the PT paddle or fist drill). And three, it gives me enhanced feedback on the proper pitch of my forearm as I catch and pull through . Such a simple thing, but it has really helped my stroke.
