Looking for some technical assistance here. When starting the catch/early vertical and I am keeping my elbow high and holding water should i think of leading with the hand or the forearm? I've read that you want the hand slightly ahead (closer to feet) of the elbow so that makes me think you have to lead with the hand. Thoughts?
If you had an image of a string pulling your forearm or your hand (toward feet) where would you place it---hand or forearm?
thanks for your help
here are my thoughts -
the initial part of the stroke is all about getting into position -- the hand is moving much more than the elbow -- once the hand has "caught up" with the elbow, i think of it as one unit moving and this is where your hand and elbow need to be at least even - maybe the hand leading a little. But I think the key is to have them as a unit.
Hope this makes sense
Not too many awake and ready to delve into the subject so early in the day. There is lots of stuff on here already.
Look here www.usms.org/.../showthread.php
Some great youtube vieos on the subject www.youtube.com/watch
Hoch's description is right. The hand sets up for a grip on the water...and then you pull past that point.
If you were to wrap your arm over a barrel...the elbow would be high as you throw the barrel under... and eventually behind your torso.
Your hand does not paddle so much as it grabs onto a fixed point...and you pull yourself past it. A high elbow/vertical forearm offers the greatest advantage in terms of leverage.
