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Swim Technique Query - S shape pull

  • 04-03-2011 03:14PM
    #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: 5,120 ✭✭✭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.


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