I suspect many people (myself included) view the arm
recovery in freestyle as time to give the recovering arm
muscles a little rest.
But consider the possible advantages of working the recovery
a bit harder. (This is at speeds less than sprinting)
(a) The recovering arm could be back in streamline sooner
so less form drag.
(b) The recovering arm will be more free of bubbles
when beginning the catch,
(c) The recovered arm can begin to catch as soon as
the pushing arm leaves the water.
(d) The energy cost of a fast recovery isn't that high.
The recovering arm moves through air not dense water.
(e) Front quadrant swimming is still achieved without introducing
any delay in the pulling arm i.e. you are not waiting
for the recovering arm to "catch-up" before staring the
pull.
Any Comments?!?
Parents
Former Member
It is that your body moves faster through the water with more pressure at he catch but the hand does not move through the water at all, it is stationary (hold that imaginary wall) at about 25 pounds pressure per sqare inc. which is the limit before slippage, most swimmers only produce about 20 psi which means they will never achieve top speed. Don't get me wrong my stroke is long, I front load, and I stretch out as far as I can, I even front quadrant swim. Very light pressure til I get to the catch then max it to the finish. I do not cocentrate on anything to increase speed but think roll the shoulders faster and I swim faster.
The direct to the catch was for me a resting stroke.
It is that your body moves faster through the water with more pressure at he catch but the hand does not move through the water at all, it is stationary (hold that imaginary wall) at about 25 pounds pressure per sqare inc. which is the limit before slippage, most swimmers only produce about 20 psi which means they will never achieve top speed. Don't get me wrong my stroke is long, I front load, and I stretch out as far as I can, I even front quadrant swim. Very light pressure til I get to the catch then max it to the finish. I do not cocentrate on anything to increase speed but think roll the shoulders faster and I swim faster.
The direct to the catch was for me a resting stroke.
