Anybody have tips on the arm pull for the elementary backstroke? Especially for easing strain on the elbows? I've found that oulling with closed fists helps, but want to make sure I'm not making any technical errors.
I am back on crutches for my bad foot (old running injury), and so my other joints (esp. shoulders and opposite hip) are getting achy. Elem back is about all I can do for for a while.
Thanks for your help.
Parents
Former Member
In regards to elementary backstroke, this is based on the American Red Cross learn to swim program. Elemenatry backstroke, the arms stay in the water the entire stroke (as stated above chicken, airplane, soldier or monkey, T, rocket could be used to describe the armstroke). You start your stroke with the recovery phase, sliding your hands up along your side to your armpits (chicken or monkey), then you extend your arms straight out (airplane, T) next comes the power phase of the stroke where you sweep your arms down to your side (soldier,rocket). The kick is a breastroke kick timed closely to the arm pull - as you are sliding your hands up you draw your feet up (more like dropping your heels down, bending your knees not your hips/waist) as your hands extend outward you seperate your feet outward and as your hands are swept down you finish your kick by bringing your feet around and together for the power phase of the kick.
There is also an inverted breastroke which is similiar to the elementary backstroke. The two main differences is in the arm stroke, 1st the recovery is above the water (over your torso/head) and secondly your hands extend all the way forward above your head (the inverted breastroke is very close to breastroke, only you are swimming on your back instead of your stomach). Hope this helps.
Jeff
In regards to elementary backstroke, this is based on the American Red Cross learn to swim program. Elemenatry backstroke, the arms stay in the water the entire stroke (as stated above chicken, airplane, soldier or monkey, T, rocket could be used to describe the armstroke). You start your stroke with the recovery phase, sliding your hands up along your side to your armpits (chicken or monkey), then you extend your arms straight out (airplane, T) next comes the power phase of the stroke where you sweep your arms down to your side (soldier,rocket). The kick is a breastroke kick timed closely to the arm pull - as you are sliding your hands up you draw your feet up (more like dropping your heels down, bending your knees not your hips/waist) as your hands extend outward you seperate your feet outward and as your hands are swept down you finish your kick by bringing your feet around and together for the power phase of the kick.
There is also an inverted breastroke which is similiar to the elementary backstroke. The two main differences is in the arm stroke, 1st the recovery is above the water (over your torso/head) and secondly your hands extend all the way forward above your head (the inverted breastroke is very close to breastroke, only you are swimming on your back instead of your stomach). Hope this helps.
Jeff
