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.
Former Member
Yes, straight-arm recovery for me; no shoulder problems.
I have switched to a more straight arm recovery as well. My shoulders aren't hurting anymore. I have more of a side arm swing than an over the top swing.
I am able to swim comfortable again for various distances. Still working on gaining speed and endurance with the stroke but it is a lot better than when I was swimming with a high elbow style recovery
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.
Why wouldn't it work for longer distances?
It does. Straight arm recovery is very much an individual thing. There are lots of people who believe it is flat out wrong or that it is only for a sprinter.
There is no right or wrong recovery for an individual, just the one that works for you.
Don't listen to someone that says "it is wrong or it only works up to..." Listen to your body. Pay attention to how you feel. Pay attention to your times. Only YOU can decide what is right or wrong for your distances.
I haven't observed your daughter so I have no idea if this applies to her but crossing the midline and shoulder problems both are commonly a result of the swimmer not rotating enough. Some swimmers recover with the elbow behind the scapular plane when they try a high elbow recovery without incorporating enough roll to keep the elbow in front of the body.
That makes a lot of sense. It could very well be the issue with her. If it is, I would venture a guess that her coach has noticed and has been working with her to correct it. Her coach (and my son's coach) and my masters coach are one in the same, and I try hard to keep us all separate; I hear only what my kids and the coach tell me. I figure that swim work ethic, technique, etc. can stay between the kids and their coach. I don't want to be one of THOSE parents. :)
SAR works for anyrace up to 100 meters
Hmmm....worked okay for Janet.
YouTube - 1988 Olympic Women's 800m Freestyle final - Janet Evans
I use SAR for all distances, including OW distances. The turnover rate increases for sprints, of course.
Chris, how about some video of you swimming freestyle at various speeds?
I don't have a lot of videos of myself swimming. My only common free events are the 200 and the 400/500, and I don't know that those are all that different speeds. Here is my 500 at Clovis:
www.floswimming.org/.../178358
Hmmm....worked okay for Janet.
YouTube - 1988 Olympic Women's 800m Freestyle final - Janet Evans
I use SAR for all distances, including OW distances. The turnover rate increases for sprints, of course.
Chris, how about some video of you swimming freestyle at various speeds?
