Hi,
My swimming interest lies in triathlons, and I have heard of two fairly different techniques for freestyle.
I've been getting swimming tips from active.com. They advocate hand entering the water thumb & forefinger first, rotating to flat, and then the arm traces an "s" shape under water, elbow slightly bent.
Recently, I was told by a master's coach that the proper form is to have your hand enter the water finger tips first, then bring the arm through the stroke with the elbow at 90 degree bend so the arm below the elbow is parallel to the bottom of the pool.
I've tried both, and the second way seems more awkward (probably because it's new to me), but the only other difference I can find is that it seems to use different arm & back muscles.
What's the "right" form and why?
Thanks,
tri'ing
Parents
Former Member
OK, I must be blind. I read every article there which was not explictly for breaststroke, and saw a lot on form for gliding after flip turns, an interesting article on front quadrant swimming, and a very rousing pep talk on reducing stroke count, but nothing on the mechanics of stroke (how your hand enters the water, position of the arm thru out the stroke). Help!!:confused:
OK, I must be blind. I read every article there which was not explictly for breaststroke, and saw a lot on form for gliding after flip turns, an interesting article on front quadrant swimming, and a very rousing pep talk on reducing stroke count, but nothing on the mechanics of stroke (how your hand enters the water, position of the arm thru out the stroke). Help!!:confused:
