I am so disgusted--I've done the TI drills, had lessons, had swim team college kids give me tips, yet I still just can't seem to get the freestyle arm action right. Do you exactly move your arm in the recovery phase the same as you move it in the fingertip drag drills? Or do you do a wind up motion of your shoulder to bring the arm out of the water? No matter what I try, I am so pathetically slow--more often than not, I am feeling like it is all wrong. I am a good breakstroker and decent flyer, and great backstroker, but geez, I need to be able to do the free - I swim about 12 miles a week. Any tips are sooooo appreciated.:bow:
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Former Member
Trying to go vertical immediately is terrible for your shoulders because it forces it into an awkward position. Early vertical isn't really a necessary term I think, and can add confusion to an already jargon-filled discussion. Essentially, it means that you begin the catch and get to EVF as soon as possible. In order to go from reach to EVF, your arm has to be diagonal at some point--it's just not physically possible to go from having your arm straight to having it vertical without moving it diagonally.
Also, the catch doesn't have to be an outward sweeping motion like many people teach. The new thing is to have a down and directly backward catch followed by a straight arm pull. Our former head coach would teach this to the competitive swimmers and teach the s-pull to the recreational swimmers because the s-pull is supposed to be easier on the shoulders; however, if you're looking to compete, it seems like the straight pull is faster. I find it more efficient and faster, but see what works for you.
I absolutely agree with everything here. Another key factor to the EVF is the rotation throughout the freestyle as well. Either way, excellent post!
Trying to go vertical immediately is terrible for your shoulders because it forces it into an awkward position. Early vertical isn't really a necessary term I think, and can add confusion to an already jargon-filled discussion. Essentially, it means that you begin the catch and get to EVF as soon as possible. In order to go from reach to EVF, your arm has to be diagonal at some point--it's just not physically possible to go from having your arm straight to having it vertical without moving it diagonally.
Also, the catch doesn't have to be an outward sweeping motion like many people teach. The new thing is to have a down and directly backward catch followed by a straight arm pull. Our former head coach would teach this to the competitive swimmers and teach the s-pull to the recreational swimmers because the s-pull is supposed to be easier on the shoulders; however, if you're looking to compete, it seems like the straight pull is faster. I find it more efficient and faster, but see what works for you.
I absolutely agree with everything here. Another key factor to the EVF is the rotation throughout the freestyle as well. Either way, excellent post!
