I just started swimming 2 months ago, and skipped out a month b/c of vacation, so now I'm back at practice and I'm working on my turns. I can get off the wall fine, but I'm wondering which arm to pull with first (Note I'm left handed and breathe to the left) Also when I come off the wall, I usually roll to the right, and pull with my right arm first so I can breathe to the left. Is that right? And am I getting all the power I can by pushing off this way?
I hope I get this right for you, if I don't there are many real experts here that will correct me so I am sure you will be properly informed. I just recently was instructed in this by a meet official who watched me and told me "you're a good swimmer but your turns s***" He then explained to me what they call "cover". The way he instructed me was this. After kicking off the wall your first pull should be with your bottom hand. That is the lower of your two hands. I believe he told me in this manner because he assumed I may breathe bilaterally (both sides). In fact I always breathe on my right side (not good!) so I need to take my first pull with my left hand. The effect is that by doing so it delays your immediately popping up to catch a breath because it forces you to take a full cycle before your breathing side comes up. It Works! When I do it I find I glide further off the wall and do not pop up like a bobber. Even when tired and short of breath it mechanically forces it.
In your case since you always breathe on the left, the right arm would be the correct one to take your first pull with. If you condition yourself to breathe bilaterally then you probably want to do as he instructed me and pull first with your lower hand. At least that is my best understanding of the mechanics.
Hopefully if this info is not accurate one of the many coaches here will comment. (I am not a coach, just a student). Good luck with your swimming, you already have a good start because you have hooked up with this forum which is loaded with information, and a lot of helpful swimmers.
I hope I get this right for you, if I don't there are many real experts here that will correct me so I am sure you will be properly informed. I just recently was instructed in this by a meet official who watched me and told me "you're a good swimmer but your turns s***" He then explained to me what they call "cover". The way he instructed me was this. After kicking off the wall your first pull should be with your bottom hand. That is the lower of your two hands. I believe he told me in this manner because he assumed I may breathe bilaterally (both sides). In fact I always breathe on my right side (not good!) so I need to take my first pull with my left hand. The effect is that by doing so it delays your immediately popping up to catch a breath because it forces you to take a full cycle before your breathing side comes up. It Works! When I do it I find I glide further off the wall and do not pop up like a bobber. Even when tired and short of breath it mechanically forces it.
In your case since you always breathe on the left, the right arm would be the correct one to take your first pull with. If you condition yourself to breathe bilaterally then you probably want to do as he instructed me and pull first with your lower hand. At least that is my best understanding of the mechanics.
Hopefully if this info is not accurate one of the many coaches here will comment. (I am not a coach, just a student). Good luck with your swimming, you already have a good start because you have hooked up with this forum which is loaded with information, and a lot of helpful swimmers.
