I see some backstrokers who have arm recoveries not straight over the top, but off to the side. I feel straight over the top is better as it puts more weight pressing down on the upper body. I think this creates a better body line, allows the shoulder upper arm to clear the water better on recovery and some how allows the pulling arm to leverage against this weight. Is all this true? If not, what are any benefits of a high arm recovery?
Here is my couple of $cents... Back is leg and rotation intensive. Yes. the momentum should be along the axis, and without any major changes in arm direction of movement. So, the pull is finished as the hip rotates out of the water and the arm continues in the direction it was going... which, with rotation, is up out of the water... or near vertically. Core rotation drives the arm into the water for the catch as the arm reaches the above (and slightly outboard) the shoulder position. NOT to be mistaken for REACHING above the shoulder. That action takes the spine out of alignment, and causes that pesky wiggling. Anybody disagree? Cheers!
Here is my couple of $cents... Back is leg and rotation intensive. Yes. the momentum should be along the axis, and without any major changes in arm direction of movement. So, the pull is finished as the hip rotates out of the water and the arm continues in the direction it was going... which, with rotation, is up out of the water... or near vertically. Core rotation drives the arm into the water for the catch as the arm reaches the above (and slightly outboard) the shoulder position. NOT to be mistaken for REACHING above the shoulder. That action takes the spine out of alignment, and causes that pesky wiggling. Anybody disagree? Cheers!
