A couple days ago I was tossing a football and was dismayed to find that I couldn't throw it even 40 yards without shoulder pain (despite warming up for 10 minutes). I'm 43 years-old, and as recently as a year ago I could throw it 40 yards on a rope, and some 55 yards with no problem (no, I'm not the uncle in Napoleon Dynamite, lol). Granted I haven't been throwing much these past few months, which could contribute to the problem. I'm not having any pain swimming, and in fact can go much longer without stopping than ever before. It got me thinking about the effect of swimming on other activities, and whether I need to do some things to "counteract" or balance some of the effects of swimming. I do weight lifting on a bowflex and try to strengthen my back and rotator cuff muscles. I stretch my shoulders and pecs a lot. It feels like some swimming related muscles have become so strong and tight that they may hinder me in some ways. Any of you have similar experiences? Any exercises you recommend? If it is unavoidable, I still will continue to swim and live with any deleterious effects because I've fallen so in love with the sport and feel incredible after doing laps.
On a positive note, while playing hoops I feel like my vertical jump has gotten a lot better. Must be the quads effect of all those kick sets.
Parents
Former Member
I never played high school football but always had a strong arm. You don't have to be particularly strong to throw well, there's just something in your arm speed, flexibility, technique, etc. I loved tossing the ball with friends, and would do that pretty often until last year or so. I would test my distance on high school fields. Most decent college QBs can throw it 60 yards when able to fully step into the throw, something I've never done. Doug Flutie was considered to have a marginal arm at best but tossed it 60 yards in that famous Miami game. Guys like Favre and Vick can wing it 75 yards (rumors have it 80+ but I don't buy that). I don't think Garrard threw it as far as he could. You have to realize that he put some extra air under it to give his receivers time to get into the end zone. If he did what I would do, namely throw against no defense and not worry about trajectory, he would easily do 65.
So I looked more into this: The NFL used to hold a Quarterback Challenge and part of it was a throw for distance. The record was/is 83 yards. Flutie is the one who has the record.
I also looked at the video of Garrard from yesterday and he did put a ton of air under it.
I never played high school football but always had a strong arm. You don't have to be particularly strong to throw well, there's just something in your arm speed, flexibility, technique, etc. I loved tossing the ball with friends, and would do that pretty often until last year or so. I would test my distance on high school fields. Most decent college QBs can throw it 60 yards when able to fully step into the throw, something I've never done. Doug Flutie was considered to have a marginal arm at best but tossed it 60 yards in that famous Miami game. Guys like Favre and Vick can wing it 75 yards (rumors have it 80+ but I don't buy that). I don't think Garrard threw it as far as he could. You have to realize that he put some extra air under it to give his receivers time to get into the end zone. If he did what I would do, namely throw against no defense and not worry about trajectory, he would easily do 65.
So I looked more into this: The NFL used to hold a Quarterback Challenge and part of it was a throw for distance. The record was/is 83 yards. Flutie is the one who has the record.
I also looked at the video of Garrard from yesterday and he did put a ton of air under it.