I have been endeavouring to improve my freestyle stroke for some time and am now confused. I am hoping someone may have some advice.
For years I just swam thinking all I had to do was rotate my arms and kick to get to the other end. Once I could get to the other end I began to focus on technique.
I read Terry Laughlin's total immersion aiming to increase stroke length by fully extending the leading arm and practising front quandrant swimming by only commencing the catch and pull when the other arm "caught up" to the leading arm.
I have also been in a technique class however they suggest the leading arm should not be extended but should remain curved as the leading hand enters the water. They suggest the catch and pull should commence as soon as the leading hand enters the water. This is a completely different technique to that explained in Total Immersion.
I understand there are different techniques and suspect it is a matter of identifying what works best for the individual. I would be interested in other swimmers views and which technique they prefer.
Regards - John
Parents
Former Member
Certainly it's important to have a long stroke and try to stretch out the front hand entry... i.e "catch". This has been taught for 30 years or more and is really not an innovative techique. After all, the longer and thinner the vessel, the faster the vessel. Ian Thorpe has a good example of this quasi "catch up" style, and it serves him very well for middle distance events.
However, do note that during fast sprints this philosophy can lead to a slower turnover than desired. There is a point where one must sacrafice a portion of the front of the stroke for a more rapid turnover. Being able to maintain the catch and turn up the revolutions at the same time is the trick.
Note, Evil Paul Smith's 50yd free record from Indy in the 40-44 age group (20.9). He worked on changing to a somewhat faster turnover that year and he sacraficed a portion of his huge catch. Its hard to find the inbetween point when you turn up the volume.
John Smith
Certainly it's important to have a long stroke and try to stretch out the front hand entry... i.e "catch". This has been taught for 30 years or more and is really not an innovative techique. After all, the longer and thinner the vessel, the faster the vessel. Ian Thorpe has a good example of this quasi "catch up" style, and it serves him very well for middle distance events.
However, do note that during fast sprints this philosophy can lead to a slower turnover than desired. There is a point where one must sacrafice a portion of the front of the stroke for a more rapid turnover. Being able to maintain the catch and turn up the revolutions at the same time is the trick.
Note, Evil Paul Smith's 50yd free record from Indy in the 40-44 age group (20.9). He worked on changing to a somewhat faster turnover that year and he sacraficed a portion of his huge catch. Its hard to find the inbetween point when you turn up the volume.
John Smith
