Is there any consensus on the correct postion of the hand at freestyle entry?
On the one hand I have read that the hand should be angled slightly palm-inward toward the body at entry (third or fourth finger entering the water first), but have also seen the reverse suggested (palm-outward, thumb entering the water first).
Palm-inward feels more natural to me and seems to put less strain on the shoulder, but I can see the advantage of palm outward in terms of preparing for the catch phase and keeping a high elbow.
Parents
Former Member
I like to enter with the thumb and index finger first. I see this as serving two purposes. Firstly, the hand begins to grab and move water as it moves to the catch position. Secondly, as the hand rolls to the catch position this rolling action releases any air bubbles that are along for the ride.
I like to enter with the thumb and index finger first. I see this as serving two purposes. Firstly, the hand begins to grab and move water as it moves to the catch position. Secondly, as the hand rolls to the catch position this rolling action releases any air bubbles that are along for the ride.
