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?
Parents
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
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
