I've been swimming for a long time - undefeated HS team in 1962. The older I get the more I think about stuff that used to be automatic, like freestyle arm stroke. I mainly do what I think is the currently popular technique with my fingers pointing to the bottom of the pool and my hand moving by my side and deep, but I can also do a version with fingers pointing toward the side of the pool and hand following the middle of my chest and stomach. I'd appreciate any comments on which is better. Also I get some shoulder pain and wonder which is easier on the shoulders.
TIA, Tom
Thanks for the replies and while maybe I should just be grateful to be swimming, Orca, I swim in a lane with ppl half my age and can still beat them in a sprint, and I keep trying to get faster. I get it that the current consensus is the deep, fingers pointing down style. I was really hoping to hear some personal experience and also what is easiest on the shoulder. That's a good article, Sumo. I was taught the scull motion in the 80s - maybe that's why I'm conflicted. I think the scull works better for me for longer distances and the current version is better for a sprint, which agrees with the article.
Thanks for the replies and while maybe I should just be grateful to be swimming, Orca, I swim in a lane with ppl half my age and can still beat them in a sprint, and I keep trying to get faster. I get it that the current consensus is the deep, fingers pointing down style. I was really hoping to hear some personal experience and also what is easiest on the shoulder. That's a good article, Sumo. I was taught the scull motion in the 80s - maybe that's why I'm conflicted. I think the scull works better for me for longer distances and the current version is better for a sprint, which agrees with the article.
