I've seen a number of articles recommending immediate catch right after the entry of the hands. Video clips of competition swimmers also seem to adopt this method.
However, when I try a little bit of outsweep and downsweep first without catching and then start catching with a high elbow, it feels less tiring and just as propulsive.
What is the today's recommended manner of catching in terms of the timing?
Parents
Former Member
Feeling pressure at the beginning of the stroke by sculling outside the mid-line of the body may feel propulsive but it's probably not helping you go faster. The establishment of an Early Vertical Forearm allows the hand to hold water, sculling or moving the hand to the right and/or left allow the hand to avoid turbulance caused by water that is swirling around the body and the hand. So, getting your hand in an EVF position may not feel like it's getting you anywhere but when the fingers are pointing down early and the elbow up early, you're putting your hand in the most effiecient position to hold water. Please google EVF + swimming and read some of the articles. There are a couple threads on the subject (Isometrics, EVF, Catch, etc.) Good luck
Feeling pressure at the beginning of the stroke by sculling outside the mid-line of the body may feel propulsive but it's probably not helping you go faster. The establishment of an Early Vertical Forearm allows the hand to hold water, sculling or moving the hand to the right and/or left allow the hand to avoid turbulance caused by water that is swirling around the body and the hand. So, getting your hand in an EVF position may not feel like it's getting you anywhere but when the fingers are pointing down early and the elbow up early, you're putting your hand in the most effiecient position to hold water. Please google EVF + swimming and read some of the articles. There are a couple threads on the subject (Isometrics, EVF, Catch, etc.) Good luck
