I was cruising the Internet last night and somehow got on the subject of straight-arm recovery (SAR). You know, like Janet Evans and a few other prominent swimmers. The most recent being YouTube - Swimming - Go Swim Straight Arm Freestyle with Scott Tucker.
From what I read, SAR may help to reduce shoulder strain in older swimmers (i.e., me) and those with less flexible shoulders, so I gave it a try this morning just for fun.
I have to say, I like it better than high-elbow. I did several 25 sprints using both techniques and found I wasn't any slower using SAR, and I might actually be slightly faster.
The thing I was really struck with is how effortless it felt to swim SAR as compared to high-elbow (for me anyway), and I also found my pull to be more complete. With high-elbow, I have a tendency to shorten my stroke a little bit and not follow-through completely. With SAR, this isn't the case for me.
I was just curious as to how many others in Masters-land regularly swim using straight-arm recovery.
Parents
Former Member
I use a high-elbow recovery, which is most comfortable for me and has worked thus far (meaning, I'm afraid to change it. :)). However, my 13 year old daughter recently changed from a high elbow to a straight arm recovery. Her touchy shoulder recovered completely within two weeks, and her speed and efficiency improved immediately. Interestingly, her SAR was a by-product of her coach correcting her stroke on the first day of practice of the season (her left arm wasn't extending fully and was crossing the midline on her pull). Some of the fastest age group swimmers I see have a straight arm recovery.
I'll stop wondering why they don't teach my kiddo high elbow then :chillpill:. She swims like a windmill, which right now makes a good backstroke, but a strange-looking freestyle.
I use a high-elbow recovery, which is most comfortable for me and has worked thus far (meaning, I'm afraid to change it. :)). However, my 13 year old daughter recently changed from a high elbow to a straight arm recovery. Her touchy shoulder recovered completely within two weeks, and her speed and efficiency improved immediately. Interestingly, her SAR was a by-product of her coach correcting her stroke on the first day of practice of the season (her left arm wasn't extending fully and was crossing the midline on her pull). Some of the fastest age group swimmers I see have a straight arm recovery.
I'll stop wondering why they don't teach my kiddo high elbow then :chillpill:. She swims like a windmill, which right now makes a good backstroke, but a strange-looking freestyle.
