Hello all,
I have a question about starting the freestyle pull. one of the other threads spurred this question, talking about stroke count.
I can usually make it at about 16 strokes per 25 yards, though I've been told by an observer that I wait too long to start pulling, which may be why my count is so low (I'm 5'4").
I have a tendancy to pause a moment on the front hand, and glide a bit before pulling my arm through.
Is this wrong? I imagine I would go faster if I just immediately started pulling as soon as my hand entered the water.. I don't know at which point the efficiency stops and I start using more energy than I need. I don't pause very long, perhaps 1 second or so.
any thoughts on this?
Jeanette.
Parents
Former Member
Originally posted by jswim
I have a tendancy to pause a moment on the front hand, and glide a bit before pulling my arm through.
If you are swimming with a typical front quadrant stroke your leading arm will reach full extension in front of you before your pulling arm completes the pull so it will stay extended in front of you for a period of time before starting to pull. This is a good thing. If you leave it too long you will be swimming closer to catch up than proper stroke timing. If you feel yourself accelerate on each pull (indicating a deacceleration between pulls) instead of a steady speed then you are likely gliding too long.
Originally posted by jswim
I have a tendancy to pause a moment on the front hand, and glide a bit before pulling my arm through.
If you are swimming with a typical front quadrant stroke your leading arm will reach full extension in front of you before your pulling arm completes the pull so it will stay extended in front of you for a period of time before starting to pull. This is a good thing. If you leave it too long you will be swimming closer to catch up than proper stroke timing. If you feel yourself accelerate on each pull (indicating a deacceleration between pulls) instead of a steady speed then you are likely gliding too long.
