Early-Vertical-Forearm

So here is a little light on the anatomical make up of the EVF stroke. By popping up your elbow before you take your pull, you engage your lats and then use them along with your pecs for your power. This is a great relief for the shoulder since you are using bigger muscle groups in addition to just your deltoids. :applaud: Continue to practice this technique and you'll find yourself getting stronger and pulling more water. By popping your shoulder up, does this mean bringing your shoulder closer to your ear? I have been really trying to work on this EVF/High Elbow thing and am really starting to have problems with my left shoulder making all kinds of clicking and clacking noises, plus some pretty gnarly pain when pulling. I don't have the pain during sprints, but I think I am not focusing as much on EVF then.

By popping your shoulder up, does this mean bringing your shoulder closer to your ear? I have been really trying to work on this EVF/High Elbow thing and am really starting to have problems with my left shoulder making all kinds of clicking and clacking noises, plus some pretty gnarly pain when pulling. I don't have the pain during sprints, but I think I am not focusing as much on EVF then. I suggest if you are having that kind of problem don't do what you are doing. Concentrate on pressing the water rather then pulling, using the hand and forearm. Brushing the ear is good but let the elbow find the comfort spot. There are so many shoulder problems caused by some one interpreting the sequences wrong. Make sure the elbow is pointed at he wall not at the bottom or the sky. Your body roll will determine the positioning of the elbow and this may differ from your interpritation of elbow position and does differ for everyone.

That makes sense. Thanks Geochuck. I'll give it a go this week.

I mastered the stroke and was ready for competition. Then I suffered a torn pelvis musscle. Two surgeries and 6 years later, I've returned to the pool @ 500 yards 1x week from 3500 5x week when injured. I'm beginning to walk normally again and have high hopes for swimming in my life again. Thanks to Dr. Robert Meyers and the Vincera institute, Philledelphia.

Georgio, Remember that EVF isn't about pulling, it's about setting up the hand and forearm vertically. If you watch my youtube (type in EVF + Swimming) you'll see some great exercises designed to accelerate an earlier vertical position of the bent or straight arm. Remember, you and every swimmer on the planet that moves forward, uses a vertical forearm/hand to propel themselves. Just how early you set your forearm/hand vertically is the thing you should be trying to improve. tomtopo, how can I view your video? I typed in EVT+swimming in Advanced search and a dozen threads came up.