I did a quick search and saw a lot of threads on shoulders with a lot of responses, so if this has been discussed before,
smack (I mean FORGIVE) me,
or something.
But is it possible, and optimal, to swim all four strokes without internally rotating the shoulder joint?
As in sliding the hands in flat, always, rather than "pinkie out/pinkie in" for backstroke, or slightly angled hands (thumb first) for entry in fly (and I think even ever-so-slightly angled hands means slightly internally rotated shoulder joint, means ouch ouch ouch for me). Etc. (for free and ***, too, flat-handed entry, never internally rotating?)
The short answer is yes.
Pinkie and thumb location should be able to be handled by the forearm, not the shoulder, anyway.
2 years ago I had severe shoulder pain because I over rotated on my free recovery. Once the hand came out and palm faced the water at all times, the pain was gone.
All of the strokes can be done effectively with little, if any shoulder rotation (meaning a twisting motion within the socket), but you still need a complete range of motion in order to utilize your arms while swimming.
Work with a coach to make any accommodations you need.
The short answer is yes.
Pinkie and thumb location should be able to be handled by the forearm, not the shoulder, anyway.
2 years ago I had severe shoulder pain because I over rotated on my free recovery. Once the hand came out and palm faced the water at all times, the pain was gone.
All of the strokes can be done effectively with little, if any shoulder rotation (meaning a twisting motion within the socket), but you still need a complete range of motion in order to utilize your arms while swimming.
Work with a coach to make any accommodations you need.
