The first loss of a master is memory, the second...I forgot. I probably have already asked this question, but here goes:
Does anyone bring their arm straight down and out after the grab? I am talking no sculling, no lateral movement, just bringing the arm straight parallel with the line maintaining the elbow high position. This would be to avoid crossing the midline with your forearm. Even though I breathe on the left, I still rotate fully to the right (a learned and trained and voluntary movement), but even so my right forearm tends to the middle, while my left arm has less pull and is erractic. When I learned the crawl it was from watching Tarzan movies, later when I was 16 and in a USA high school they taught the S shaped movement or the straight down and back. In those days the breathing was to one side. Last question: aside from timing both methods, what are your preferences on the long dolphin versus "less dolphin" emerging sooner method of starts and turns on a 50 meter short course freestyle race? Thanks, billy fanstone
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Former Member
Wow, this is a great Topic!!! And so much controversy!! I believe in the long, straight pull down (arm at shoulder width/no crossover) until the arm is perpendicular to the shoulder while underwater. At that time, my hips start the rotation, my arm does a tiny "s" movement as my hips rotate, and then my hand starts the recovery phase at mid-thigh. I take 11 strokes every 25 yards consistently.
All I know is I travel a great amount of distance per stroke and my stroke count is always low. I know this helps me in distance swims because it conserves energy. If I have to sprint, I shorten the entire stroke movement from pull to recovery and pull again.
Also, each of us are different and swim differently. I believe in basics being learned, but each person should keep their stroke as "natural" as possible for them within the guidelines. I teach this to children--swim natural with proper technique and they all swim differently.
The best way to learn to swim is to watch GREAT swimmers--not necessarily a textbook. No sculling for me; it causes the water I have grabbed to "disappear." Once you grab a load of water, you need to see it through to the recovery. I don't think there is a magic bullet to answer this one!!!
Just an old lady's point of view that works for me!! Don't know if this is important, but the 100 yard free I did (2 years ago), I swam it in 1:03 and I am 58 and FAT but huge triceps.
Find the technique for YOU that works!!!
Wow, this is a great Topic!!! And so much controversy!! I believe in the long, straight pull down (arm at shoulder width/no crossover) until the arm is perpendicular to the shoulder while underwater. At that time, my hips start the rotation, my arm does a tiny "s" movement as my hips rotate, and then my hand starts the recovery phase at mid-thigh. I take 11 strokes every 25 yards consistently.
All I know is I travel a great amount of distance per stroke and my stroke count is always low. I know this helps me in distance swims because it conserves energy. If I have to sprint, I shorten the entire stroke movement from pull to recovery and pull again.
Also, each of us are different and swim differently. I believe in basics being learned, but each person should keep their stroke as "natural" as possible for them within the guidelines. I teach this to children--swim natural with proper technique and they all swim differently.
The best way to learn to swim is to watch GREAT swimmers--not necessarily a textbook. No sculling for me; it causes the water I have grabbed to "disappear." Once you grab a load of water, you need to see it through to the recovery. I don't think there is a magic bullet to answer this one!!!
Just an old lady's point of view that works for me!! Don't know if this is important, but the 100 yard free I did (2 years ago), I swam it in 1:03 and I am 58 and FAT but huge triceps.
Find the technique for YOU that works!!!
