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
Relaxation of the muscles for me starts in the hands by not pressing the thumb against the index finger. By not forcing the fingers together, you can feel the tension in the forearms release. If you press the thumb against the index finger and hold the fingers tightly together great tension that extends even to the shoulders. Then realease the tension and you can feel the muscles release.
Relaxation of the muscles for me starts in the hands by not pressing the thumb against the index finger. By not forcing the fingers together, you can feel the tension in the forearms release. If you press the thumb against the index finger and hold the fingers tightly together great tension that extends even to the shoulders. Then realease the tension and you can feel the muscles release.
