I learned to swim as an adult a couple of years ago. When I started the front crawl, I would focus on being "long" in the water - i.e., really reaching with the forward hand on each stroke, and not pulling until the trailing hand entered the water (the TI front quadrant swimming concept).
But over time, my shoulders would bother me. And I recently learned that swimming with high elbows (envisioning your arm going over a barrel) is better for your shoulders. I was definitely dropping my elbows before.
The problem I'm having is that when I swim with high elbows, I feel like I'm not as "long" in the water, that I get less glide, and that generally, I have to work a lot harder (though my shoulders feel better). One obvious thing I've noticed is that with a high elbow stroke, I can't seem to keep my leading arm out in front until my trailing arm catches up.
Any thoughts? Thanks.
Edit: I should add that I'm a recreational swimmer, so technique that is easier on the shoulder is preferred to a technique that may be better for competitive swimmers but is more stressful to the shoulder joint.
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Former Member
However and I do want to insist. Combination of extra-long wait time and glide in the front (so typical to rec swimmers) and attempt to perform EVF can be quite damaging on the rotator's cuff (like you probably know).
So to me, the bottom line is that you need to start catching little earlier if you want to integrate EVF, in order to unload some of the pressure put on the catch. And as soon as the arm is getting closer from underneath the body, THEN significant amount of pressure (power) can safely be applied since the elbow is no longer in a vulnerable position.
Can you elaborate please? Are you saying I shouldn't reach too far forward before letting the forearm drop into the catch?
Why does a long wait time before starting the catch stressful to the rotator cuff? Is it that your shoulder is in a different position with the extra long glide before starting the catch?
Just a beginner's recommendation: if it is irritating your shoulder's, wether or not it's more efficient, it should be avoided or scaled back until comfortable.
You misunderstood. My shoulders bother me with my current technique, which is more of a dropped elbow catch and pull. Trying EVF as I understand it to be superior technique and may be easier on my shoulders.
However and I do want to insist. Combination of extra-long wait time and glide in the front (so typical to rec swimmers) and attempt to perform EVF can be quite damaging on the rotator's cuff (like you probably know).
So to me, the bottom line is that you need to start catching little earlier if you want to integrate EVF, in order to unload some of the pressure put on the catch. And as soon as the arm is getting closer from underneath the body, THEN significant amount of pressure (power) can safely be applied since the elbow is no longer in a vulnerable position.
Can you elaborate please? Are you saying I shouldn't reach too far forward before letting the forearm drop into the catch?
Why does a long wait time before starting the catch stressful to the rotator cuff? Is it that your shoulder is in a different position with the extra long glide before starting the catch?
Just a beginner's recommendation: if it is irritating your shoulder's, wether or not it's more efficient, it should be avoided or scaled back until comfortable.
You misunderstood. My shoulders bother me with my current technique, which is more of a dropped elbow catch and pull. Trying EVF as I understand it to be superior technique and may be easier on my shoulders.
