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.
Parents
Former Member
Total Immersion, EVF, Front quadrant, Long stroke, are not contradictions like George said.
Here are two great video's that show you what the catch or EVF is.
YouTube - SwimTherapy - Frontcrawl Catch
YouTube - How to swim with a High Elbow Catch/EVF - Total Immersion Israel
Here's where I think people begin to disagree and they shouldn't. When the arm is extended in a straight position it serves the purpose of keeping the lower body from dropping. The catch or EVF should be synonymous for "setting-up" the stroke. The body type (short, tall, slim, not so slim) helps determine how deep and how defined the EVF is. Two swimmers who have different looking EVF's are Alain Bernard (straighter and deeper) and Rebecca Addlington (near 90 degrees and shallow).
Each competitive stroke can be separated into four different segments or quadrants. The front quadrant is where the catch (EVF) “sets-up” the stroke into an effective propulsive position after a full extension of the arm; the second quadrant is where power from a properly set up hand and forearm position occurs; the third quadrant where the release from the power phase and then recovery is initiated; and the fourth quadrant is where the recovery makes the transition to the entry. The all important EVF position or catch is located in the first quadrant and beginning of the second quadrant of each stroke. This above explaination should show you that every swimmer should use every quadrant and to say some is or is not a "front-quadrant" swimmer, is simply not necessary and/or silly!
Total Immersion, EVF, Front quadrant, Long stroke, are not contradictions like George said.
Here are two great video's that show you what the catch or EVF is.
YouTube - SwimTherapy - Frontcrawl Catch
YouTube - How to swim with a High Elbow Catch/EVF - Total Immersion Israel
Here's where I think people begin to disagree and they shouldn't. When the arm is extended in a straight position it serves the purpose of keeping the lower body from dropping. The catch or EVF should be synonymous for "setting-up" the stroke. The body type (short, tall, slim, not so slim) helps determine how deep and how defined the EVF is. Two swimmers who have different looking EVF's are Alain Bernard (straighter and deeper) and Rebecca Addlington (near 90 degrees and shallow).
Each competitive stroke can be separated into four different segments or quadrants. The front quadrant is where the catch (EVF) “sets-up” the stroke into an effective propulsive position after a full extension of the arm; the second quadrant is where power from a properly set up hand and forearm position occurs; the third quadrant where the release from the power phase and then recovery is initiated; and the fourth quadrant is where the recovery makes the transition to the entry. The all important EVF position or catch is located in the first quadrant and beginning of the second quadrant of each stroke. This above explaination should show you that every swimmer should use every quadrant and to say some is or is not a "front-quadrant" swimmer, is simply not necessary and/or silly!
