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 craiglll@yahoo.com
A problem I've recently noticed is that after my turn my first stroke is very weak. It is my left arm. I breathe to my left. The stroke hardly creates any energy. also, I am on my right side. somehow, I think that I'm turning my body coming off of the wall the wrong way? I don't know if this is true or what!
I am not sure what the experts say I am supposed to be doing, but this is what works quite effectively for me.
I breathe to my right side. When I push off the wall, I am initially on my back, and as I glide on the push I do a quarter-turn to the right (to the side I will breathe on). Thus I am facing the side wall of the pool (or facing the lane line.) When start to slow down on the glide, I take a strong pull with my right arm (the one on top) while I am still under water. This gets me past the backstroke flags when I break the surface. I am still on my side, head turned slightly up so I can grab a quick breath as I break the surface after that first stroke. Continue rotating, pull with left arm and I'm off and running (so to speak) in my natural stroke.
Originally posted by craiglll@yahoo.com
A problem I've recently noticed is that after my turn my first stroke is very weak. It is my left arm. I breathe to my left. The stroke hardly creates any energy. also, I am on my right side. somehow, I think that I'm turning my body coming off of the wall the wrong way? I don't know if this is true or what!
I am not sure what the experts say I am supposed to be doing, but this is what works quite effectively for me.
I breathe to my right side. When I push off the wall, I am initially on my back, and as I glide on the push I do a quarter-turn to the right (to the side I will breathe on). Thus I am facing the side wall of the pool (or facing the lane line.) When start to slow down on the glide, I take a strong pull with my right arm (the one on top) while I am still under water. This gets me past the backstroke flags when I break the surface. I am still on my side, head turned slightly up so I can grab a quick breath as I break the surface after that first stroke. Continue rotating, pull with left arm and I'm off and running (so to speak) in my natural stroke.
