I have been studying videos of swimmers and find what was once called the "S" stroke has almost disappeard.
I have noticed that flyers use it. But crawl swimmers have modified it so much that it is almost gone.
Has it been replaced completely or was it an optical illusion? Did underwater film show us it did not exist.
Parents
Former Member
I believe what he is referring to is a stroke where instead of pulling straight back, you pull out at the catch, then back in towards your body, and then back out to finish, thereby making an S with your arm. I think someone discovered that it was somehow quicker, I think it was through analysis of sea turtles. From what I saw at my brief look at butterfly swimmers is that they use more of a V stroke than a true S, I wouldn't be surprised if this has something to do with hand position as they exit the water.
I believe what he is referring to is a stroke where instead of pulling straight back, you pull out at the catch, then back in towards your body, and then back out to finish, thereby making an S with your arm. I think someone discovered that it was somehow quicker, I think it was through analysis of sea turtles. From what I saw at my brief look at butterfly swimmers is that they use more of a V stroke than a true S, I wouldn't be surprised if this has something to do with hand position as they exit the water.
