How much does a swimmer's kick affect his/her stroke length? Should a weak kicker use long stroke style? I am a WEAK kiker and 5.58 feet (170 cm) tall, what is my optimal stroke count for 25 yard?
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Former Member
Hi Leiming,
One thing to watch for with shoulder pain is that you're not letting your leading arm drift back up towards the surface at the beginning of each stroke. When your hand drifts up, your elbow drops down and that puts your shoulder in a very vulnerable position for the start of each pull cycle.
I don't have much background in competitive swimming as a kid, but I did swim for my high school team my senior year and my coach emphasized long strokes and a low stroke count. Unfortunately, the coach did not provide any useful info on how to actually achieve a low stroke count. In trying to stretch out my stroke, I started letting my hand slide up to try and 'ride' the glide a bit more. Looking back, this action caused a very sore right shoulder. I find now if I focus on keeping the elbow up (and the hand down), and not overwork the catch, I can keep my shoulders from hurting.
Hope this makes sense and good luck.
Carrie
You are definitely right. I strech out and my right hand is less patient than my left. Since I breath to my right side, I start my right pull eagerly to aviod the deceleration. But if I wait my elbow up, wouldn't that hurt speend during that waiting period?
Hi Leiming,
One thing to watch for with shoulder pain is that you're not letting your leading arm drift back up towards the surface at the beginning of each stroke. When your hand drifts up, your elbow drops down and that puts your shoulder in a very vulnerable position for the start of each pull cycle.
I don't have much background in competitive swimming as a kid, but I did swim for my high school team my senior year and my coach emphasized long strokes and a low stroke count. Unfortunately, the coach did not provide any useful info on how to actually achieve a low stroke count. In trying to stretch out my stroke, I started letting my hand slide up to try and 'ride' the glide a bit more. Looking back, this action caused a very sore right shoulder. I find now if I focus on keeping the elbow up (and the hand down), and not overwork the catch, I can keep my shoulders from hurting.
Hope this makes sense and good luck.
Carrie
You are definitely right. I strech out and my right hand is less patient than my left. Since I breath to my right side, I start my right pull eagerly to aviod the deceleration. But if I wait my elbow up, wouldn't that hurt speend during that waiting period?
