I'd like to improve my technique. I've recently tried swimming with hand paddles, hoping it would improve my catch on my free and back.
However, I actually swim more slowly with them than without. And when I stop using them, I'm not all that comfortable with how the water feels.
Should I be worried about the paddles altering my stroke in a bad way? Perhaps paddles aren't meant for technique but for, say, power/strength?
I didn't use them when training as a youngster so I'm not sure what the consensus is as to their value now.
(I did find this related post: www.usms.org/.../showthread.php, but still not clear if they're for technique or for strength-building or both)
I truly believe my STAR paddles have helped me with my catch, body rotation, culminating in a comfortable bi-lateral breathing pattern. I had years of bad habits to break too. Something about a very over-sized paddle forces your hand to enter the water correctly, otherwise the paddle will fall off.
I usually do a 500-800 warm-up sans paddles then a set of pulling with the paddles focusing on the above mentioned elements. It is easier to do with a pull buoy but lately I've gone without it and feel a better transfer to my normal stroke.
I am not a coach, in fact our team doesn't have a coach but these things I do believe to be true!
I truly believe my STAR paddles have helped me with my catch, body rotation, culminating in a comfortable bi-lateral breathing pattern. I had years of bad habits to break too. Something about a very over-sized paddle forces your hand to enter the water correctly, otherwise the paddle will fall off.
I usually do a 500-800 warm-up sans paddles then a set of pulling with the paddles focusing on the above mentioned elements. It is easier to do with a pull buoy but lately I've gone without it and feel a better transfer to my normal stroke.
I am not a coach, in fact our team doesn't have a coach but these things I do believe to be true!
