After reading Khodo's thread on Turetski, I thought it might be interesting to chat about what each of us does with our hands on the entry, as well as throughout the stroke.
The first thing I look for in my hand position is zero bubbles coming from any of the fingers. To do this, I have made adjustments throughout my years of swimming and have decided that, for me, I swim with my hands (and my feet) as loose appendages; nothing is fixed. I had found that having a strict fixed hand position tires my forearm, then tires my upper arm, and finally my shoulder. Having my hands relaxed seemed to be key. My hand position does change slightly if I have to sprint, but basically my hand enters either flat, thumb away from the hand (to the left), or at a slightly downward angle, thumb first. I seem to get the same results from either position as to the setup for the catch and then the pull.
Toward the recovery of the stroke, my hand is slightly more vertical than horizontal right before it exits the water. And during the recovery into the next stroke, my hand is so loose it looks like it could flop around if I let it.
I think a cupped hand will make a tired swimmer.
I find that doing pulling breathing sets allows me to be more focused on my hand position because my face is in the water for longer periods of time, so I get two for the price of one using this drill.
Your thoughts?
Former Member
being as new as i am to this, i am not sure i am qualified to post something on this topic.... that said....
when i swim, i listen (swimming in a pool helps substantially in this). i listen to my hands, arms, legs and feet. i listen for bubbles.
when i swim , i feel. among the things i attempt to feel are bubbles and tension.
on entry my hands are very relaxed. fingers and thumbs very relaxed. thumbs pointing toward the center (right thumb points to the left, left points to the right) arms not fully extended. i try to imagine my hands sliding into the water at a very shallow slope. much like an aircraft on a landing slope glide path. once in, i hold the extension until the bubbles are gone from around the hand. during the catch and pull phase, my fingers tend to stay relaxed and definitely not held tightly cupped. there is definitely space between each of the fingers. as i catch, my wrist stiffens enough to maintain a straight line with my forearm. i try to hold/feel the water with my hand, wrist, forearm and (because my reach tends to go a tad deep) upper arm. as my arm travels back to a trailing position, i again relax everything. on every stroke, i gently touch my thigh with my middle finger and hold it there for just a very short second. during recovery, my fingers just barely "scrape" the water as my hand comes forward. again, the relaxation here is critical for me. i learned from running that hand tension transmits to the arms, shoulders and chest, robbing me of energy. so every element of my stroke is based in relaxation and (referring back to the listening and feeling) flowing with the water not fighting it.
i'm sure i've not said this well and it probably flies in the face of all that is taught by people who know what they are doing... but there it is... it works for me.
be,
jim
Former Member
Good subject, Donna. Never thought about my hands. DOM in AZ.:frustrated: ;)
Former Member
Thanx Donna. I've been asking this question myself and no one seems to be able to clearly explain it.
Former Member
Every stroke phase involves three ingredients....The catch, the pull...and the push. The catch is most important in getting an initial grip on the water. Once the hand enters...it's got to get a hold of still water (like a rung on a ladder) and hold it's position.
Once underwater...the hand sometimes sweeps outward in a sculling motion to obtain the grip...and then the arm starts to ride over the spot where the imaginary ladder was first latched onto. A nice loose hand entry with the palm tilted ever so slightly outward commonly used. If the hands are tight, the arms will be tight...and tension causes strain and fatigue...aside from shortening the stroke.
Any occurrence of turbulence and bubbles is a sign that the hand entry is not as smooth as it should be.
The ideal "grip" involves staying smooth from the onset of each hand entry.
My :2cents: for today.
Former Member
Just a thought you had better cause a few bubbles and turbulance if you want to come in first in a race.
Former Member
Good one, George (LOL). When I do have to sprint (ugh), I do have more whitewater coming from my kick and rolling off of my arms, but underwater, no bubbles.
One other thing someone mentioned is that their thumb brushes the side of their thigh. There has been controversy about this; that it may be better to exit the arm at around the waist level instead of the thigh. I find this hurts my swimming; doesn't help it and the reason is exiting later finishes/completes my stroke and aids in keeping a low stroke count (pushing more water for a longer time). Many have said a reason to exit early is because the back of the arms (triceps) get fatigued. Well my point is: get them strong and finish the stroke. Years of swimming have created ripped looking triceps on me, so I choose to finish the stroke and my hand/arm exits at the thigh level.
I did notice in today's swim, because I have to wear a watch, that bubbles come from the watch but not my hands.
donna
Former Member
My thumb brushes my thigh, it has for years and I hope it continues for many more years. The early exit thing to me is wrong but this does not mean it exits with force. I exert effort to around the botom of my speedo trunks or should I say crotch then a relaxed finish to the mid thigh then it rolls out.
Am I sorry to say that I do not hold onto that imaginary wall or ladder wrung - no it does move a little, I am afraid I try to move that imaginary wall and ladder wrung. I am sure you will see a couple of bubbles as I try to exert pressure in that phase of the stroke. When I swim a sprint it just happens. I have to lug that 240+ lb hulk through the water. I really made bubbles when I was 325lbs.
Former Member
Just a thought you had better cause a few bubbles and turbulance if you want to come in first in a race.
Very true. :)
I was talking more about just regular practice pace. Bubbles in the catch means that there's ice under the tires...so to speak.
All slip and no grip.
Former Member
When my stroke is really working (I think....), as my arm reaches full extension frontward, I can feel my fingers vibrate a bit from the forward acceleration through the water caused by the final push of the other arm and the act of extension.
Or maybe it's the chlorine fumes.
DV
Former Member
Very true. :)
Bubbles in the catch means that there's ice under the tires...so to speak.
All slip and no grip.
That's a great description, one I can easily visualize. Thank you!
