Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Swim Technique Query - S shape pull

  • 04-03-2011 2:14pm
    #1
    RedB
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,469 ✭✭✭


    Anyone know what's the better stroke - straight arm or s shape?

    Swim Smooth say: "In the 1970s a thumb first entry was taught together with an S-shaped pull to give a longer pull pathway, which was believed to be more powerful. Any advantage in propulsion has since been disproved and we now understand the outward sweep at the beginning of the S shape puts a large force on the shoulder in an awkward position. Since the 1990s all elite swimmers have been taught to enter with a flat hand and pull straight backwards - it carries a much lower injury risk and it's a faster and more efficient technique"

    Don Fink in Iron Fit recommends an S shape pull :confused:


Comments

  • #2
    DustyBin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,100 ✭✭✭DustyBin


    Hey Red, check out the stroke technique of some of our elites:
    http://www.triathlonireland.com/index.php?id=107&nid=221

    video is at bottom of page


  • #3
    griffin100
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,034 ✭✭✭griffin100


    IIRC total immersion uses the straight arm technique.

    Watching olympic OW swimmers though they all seem to sweep out-in-out. Whatever works for you I suppose.


  • #4
    Nwm2
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 548 ✭✭✭Nwm2


    RedB wrote: »
    Anyone know what's the better stroke - straight arm or s shape?

    Swim Smooth say: "In the 1970s a thumb first entry was taught together with an S-shaped pull to give a longer pull pathway, which was believed to be more powerful. Any advantage in propulsion has since been disproved and we now understand the outward sweep at the beginning of the S shape puts a large force on the shoulder in an awkward position. Since the 1990s all elite swimmers have been taught to enter with a flat hand and pull straight backwards - it carries a much lower injury risk and it's a faster and more efficient technique"

    Don Fink in Iron Fit recommends an S shape pull :confused:


    Check out the outstanding slow motion camera work and instruction here:

    http://www.theraceclub.net/videos/freestyle-picking-the-right-technique/

    The swimmer who put this together is selling a DVD and made a post about it on Slowtwitch. The first reply was from someone asking about the swimmers credentials. The slowtwitchers fell about laughing - the OP was a legit multiple Olympian and multiple world record holder.


Advertisement