Hi guys and gals!
I've been excited to see dramatic improvement in my middle school team (girls and boys) as I've emphasized and Early Vertical Forearm EVF) position vs. an extended, exaggerated and/or catch-up stroke. After the swimmer has attained the best streamlined position starting their stroke, I have preached about the importance of moving the hand (keeping it still with no bend or no more than a 12 degree bend) as it moves slowly (with pressure) under the elbow. I tell my swimmers to keep their hands outside the shoulders and not to scull toward the midline for many reasons. First, sculling too much is a common and very difficult flaw to correct. Second, sculling toward the mid-line too early is another difficult flaw to correct, Third, it's very easy to correct a swimmer who maintains a surfboard type pull throughout the entire pulling/pushing phase (never had one), and get them to pull toward the mid-line.
I do a lot of dryland drills static and isometric with elbows (varying in degrees) above the head. I've found them to be perfectly safe and the swimmers find them non-threating (no weights). As they get stronger, I'll introduce them to light therapy bands and 1/4lb weights.
Over forty years, and counting, of theories, strategies, and programs that stregthen pulling power. I'm one of many coaches who see that pushing the forearm ahead of the shoulder is an critical propulsive skill that has been sorely neglected by much of the swimming community. A great EVF isn't just a gift, - it can be and should be taught. Coach T.
Former Member
Coach T,
Just so you know, and I have read your responses and replied to my other thread, I want you to know that I am listening. And am happy to see your comment about sculling---an enemy of many.
Donna
Former Member
Donna,
It's fun to hear from someone. I enjoy this forum a lot. I'm at tomtopo@netzero if anyone wants to chat off the forum. Good luck Donna, Coach T.
That is great to see improvement. That is the best part of being a coach I suspect; helping people improve.
Former Member
Coach T,
I agree completely with you on the benefit of teaching EVF. Since reading your posts and articles on EVF, I've been working at incorporating EVF into my freestyle, and I've noticed that my intervals are consistently faster. The links that you sent were tremendously helpful -- they clearly show how the elite swimmers utilize the EVF.
Good luck and continued success with your team.
Best Regards,
Dan
Former Member
First, sculling too much is a common and very difficult flaw to correct. Second, sculling toward the mid-line too early is another difficult flaw to correct, Third, it's very easy to correct a swimmer who maintains a surfboard type pull throughout the entire pulling/pushing phase (never had one), and get them to pull toward the mid-line.
Coach T.
Could someone explain what exactly A SCULL and PULL is? and what is the difference between these two?
Former Member
It's best to wait until the arm has become nearly bent before exerting alot of force. Shoulder problems come from pressing down too hard when the arm is still straight.
I like to place more emphasis on finishing the stroke.... rather than pressing too hard at the catch.
Former Member
Could someone explain what exactly A SCULL and PULL is? and what is the difference between these two?
A scull is a movement at right angles to the direction you are going in while a pull is a movement parallel to the direction you are going in. Clearly many movements are some combination of the two.
There was a time when swimming theorists believed that propulsion was primarily created by sculling motions but this turned out to be nonsense. Breaststroke is the stoke where sculling plays the largest role.
Former Member
Maglisho, and others, stress the importance of not rushing the catch, in part to avoid shoulder problems. How does EVF fit into that way of thinking?