EVF Teaching

Former Member
Former Member
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.
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