Hello,
I'm somewhat new to these forums here, and was wondering if someone could help me with freestyle technique.. When I started swimming in high school, 1988, I was taught that the arms were to extend directly in front of the head to start the pull. I've been swimming this way for awhile, but someone noticed my stroke and suggested some changes. He said that now people are starting their stroke, entering the water with the hand slightly to the side of the head. I tried it for a bit, and in some ways it feels smoother, but I feel like I'm losing ground on strokes per distance.
I realize there are a few different "styles" of swimming freestyle, straight arm recovery among others, but I was just wondering what everyone here had to say about placement of the arm when entering the water..
Another change suggested to me was to lift my head more and look a bit more forward, though I thought that keeping the head aligned straight with the back (looking straight down in the water), was the correct technique, and allowed for stronger, more streamlined body position..
Any thoughts on this, or suggestions for good articles etc.. would be much appreciated. Our YMCA is starting a Masters swim team and I'd like to get competitive and do the best I can.
Thanks!
Jeanette.
ps.. This is a great forum, thanks for having it, and to all the members that participate, I've already learned so much! please bear with me as I am liable to have many questions!
:p
Former Member
Putting stroke efficiency aside for a moment, I think having the hand enter the water in front of the head places higher stresses on the shoulder than having the hand enter slightly to the side of the head. This is an important consideration for many swimmers, as we are all exposed to the risk of shoulder injury (some more than others). I'm not a doctor or a physical therapist though, so perhaps someone who knows better than I can comment on this.
As far as stroke efficiency is concerned, I doubt that there is any reduction in effeciency using a technique where the hand enters slightly to the side.
That's my humble opinion.
Current thinking is definitely to keep your head aligned with your back, not looking slightly ahead. All raising your head will do is increase drag. It could make your kick slightly better since your legs will be lower, but this advantage will be more than offset by the increased drag.
About the arm entry directly in front of your head. Off the cuff, I would think the entry would be better slightly to the side for the simple fact this forces more of a bend in the elbow and will allow you to maintain a high elbow position throughout your stroke.
Thanks for the input!,
I'll work on my head position and keeping it straight.. As for placement of the hand.. I think you're right Eric,.. I do notice less "stress" on my shoulder when I enter my hand just to the side of my head..
hopefully my stroke per distance will improve once I get used to the newer style.
Jeanette.
hey Jeanette, especially if you are circle swimming, you might find your right hand hitting the lane line from time to time as it enters the water on its recovery. When that happens the third or fourth time you might reconsider whether it might not be better to try to make the hand enter the water directly in front of the center of your head. You'll probably also find that some kinds of non-turbulent lane lines are more friendly to the swimmers than others.
