So, to stabilize the shoulder throughout the pull and really get the lats working, I should ‘squeeze’ (lacking a better word) the scapular muscle which will also prevent hunching and overreaching, which is something I see other swimmers do all the time.
I don't mean to think about retracting your shoulder blade in toward the spine. I mean to think about holding it down toward the waist rather than letting it ride up your ribcage. Your lower traps and serratus anterior will be doing the work.
This video shows a nice exercise you can do to get acquainted with each of the muscles that can move your scapulae. At my gym we usually do exercises like these as part of our warmup. We usually do this one with outstretched arms (forward at about 45 degrees).
https://youtu.be/EK0qnK2Z7JI
So, to stabilize the shoulder throughout the pull and really get the lats working, I should ‘squeeze’ (lacking a better word) the scapular muscle which will also prevent hunching and overreaching, which is something I see other swimmers do all the time.
I don't mean to think about retracting your shoulder blade in toward the spine. I mean to think about holding it down toward the waist rather than letting it ride up your ribcage. Your lower traps and serratus anterior will be doing the work.
This video shows a nice exercise you can do to get acquainted with each of the muscles that can move your scapulae. At my gym we usually do exercises like these as part of our warmup. We usually do this one with outstretched arms (forward at about 45 degrees).
https://youtu.be/EK0qnK2Z7JI
