Thumbs Down or Pinky First?

RE: Thumbs Down or Pinky First?

Former Member — Tue, 01 Nov 2005 17:29:35 GMT

this morning, I've been watching videos. Thorpe, Klim, Lezak, Phelps, all begin thier stroke by putting theri hand in straight. The only one who seems to turn his hand at all is Phelps. He sometimes turns his hand right after entering it inot the water.

RE: Thumbs Down or Pinky First?

Former Member — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 16:57:07 GMT

this is a lot of attentin to something that used to be seen as very unimportant. I wonder if this has become a big issue because body balance no longer is only attributed your legs & feet?

RE: Thumbs Down or Pinky First?

jswim — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 10:53:58 GMT

a fellow swimmer and I were talking the other day about the finger drill (is this familiar to anyone else here?) swimming with hands in fist and index finger pointed, change on either 25 or 50, then fist with pinky extended, then both pinky and index extended, ROCK ON! ;), then fist only, then regular stroke... Both of us had an issue with the pinky extended phase in that it felt like we lost our balance in the water. I can't seem to get any pull out of my stroke at all, and I'm not sure where i'm going wrong with it. I have no idea if this is a drill our coach made up or if it's a universal thing, but if anyone else knows about it and has any insight on where the pull should be initiated during the pinky phase, I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks! J.

RE: Thumbs Down or Pinky First?

Former Member — Wed, 26 Oct 2005 15:13:39 GMT

Originally posted by F'ueco Sidestroke! Pinky down... I take that back. My hand enters pretty much straight-on. When I get tired it reverts to thumbs first.

RE: Thumbs Down or Pinky First?

Former Member — Tue, 25 Oct 2005 15:51:50 GMT

Matt, Your first point is very true. I try to fist-swim at least some laps every other day. It really forces me to think about my arms and shoulders. I use to have a coach in high school who said your hand should surprise the water as it enters. My father uuse to say that the water shouldn't even know you have a hand. Whe he woudl say that, we would act lkie seals and clap our forearms together & bark. He woudl get very mad.

RE: Thumbs Down or Pinky First?

Former Member — Mon, 24 Oct 2005 16:28:22 GMT

If you get 100 responses, you might get 100 nuances... I do thumb-and-index finger first. As soon as my hand dips below the surface I straighten/level out my hand while I'm still pushing my hand forward to begin my catch.

RE: Thumbs Down or Pinky First?

Former Member — Mon, 24 Oct 2005 15:15:17 GMT

Jim I put the pinky and thumb in and plain a little, very little then on the way to the catch for 6 to 8 inches thumb down then switch to thumb up to the catch and pinky down till I get to the catch then pinky up just before the recovery. Just to add when I drink tea the pinky is always sticking out.

RE: Thumbs Down or Pinky First?

Jim Clemmons — Mon, 24 Oct 2005 11:05:33 GMT

What about the thumb and pinky "plane" parallel to the surface of the water during/at the catch?

RE: Thumbs Down or Pinky First?

Former Member — Mon, 24 Oct 2005 09:46:01 GMT

First, what happens in your main body trunk, closest to your power source, is a lot more important than a fine point at the farthest periphery, i.e. how the tips of your fingers enter the water. How is your balance? To what extent to you roll your body, or otherwise use the larger muscle groups in your body trunk to generate power for your stroke? Do you firmly "grip" the water during your armstroke and follow all the way through? Is your recovery smooth and easy? How is your oxygen management and your ability to pace yourself over the distances you swim? Your streamline technique off of the start and the turns? I would actually recommend someone do work with fist drills (i.e. close your hand into a fist while you swim) to get your attention away from your hands, and learn how to balance, grip the water, etc. etc. without using them. They can be like a paddle, and allow your to mask or compensate for stroke flaws. Once your feel smooth and comfortable with your fists, then proceed to the finer points. Second, what you want with your catch is: (1) slip it in smoothly to minimize the volume of air bubbles you take into the water with your hand. Too much air means a poor catch. In terms of sensation, your catch should feel like you are scooping pudding, rather than fizzy soda. (2) Avoid injury! Everyone's body is different. If doing something the way your favorite Olympian does it, or the way it says in your swimming reference book, or the way your overly pendandic coach requires, causes you pain, do it differently. (the old Groucho Marx line "Doctor, doctor, it hoits when I do this." "Don't do that.") Then there are all the considerations of which stroke, what distance and turnover rate, etc. etc. Bottom line: pinky, thumb or forefinger first, do what works best for YOUR stroke. Note, this will probably require feedback from a coach, and thought on the matter for you and your coach. No brain = no gain. Matt

RE: Thumbs Down or Pinky First?

Former Member — Mon, 24 Oct 2005 09:18:28 GMT

Originally posted by swimpastor which stroke? I'm sorry, it's for the freestyle stroke. After years of medial rotation, the pinky first enabled me to catch more waves body surfing. Seems to automatically kick in the trunk rotators with a wallop - wow!! clyde

RE: Thumbs Down or Pinky First?

Former Member — Mon, 24 Oct 2005 07:06:31 GMT

I used to swim with a very extreme thumb first. Now I enter my hand very naturally tips of fingers first with a slight downward slant.

RE: Thumbs Down or Pinky First?

fatboy — Mon, 24 Oct 2005 01:13:18 GMT

Originally posted by geochuck .... Just to add when I drink tea the pinky is always sticking out. I see my trouble. I drink coffee, not tea!

RE: Thumbs Down or Pinky First?

Former Member — Sun, 23 Oct 2005 15:32:32 GMT

Sidestroke! Pinky down...

RE: Thumbs Down or Pinky First?

Former Member — Sun, 23 Oct 2005 06:55:16 GMT

I like thumbs up at the catch, pinky down with a nicely bent arm.

RE: Thumbs Down or Pinky First?

swimpastor — Sun, 23 Oct 2005 02:09:49 GMT

which stroke?