Straight arm vs. High elbow catch freestyle swimming
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- čas přidán 9. 12. 2012
- Demonstration of high elbow catch vs. straight arm in freestyle swimming. From years of experience we can say, more advanced swimmers prefers high elbow catch while those who are just starting to learn how to swim utilize straight arm.
At the end of the day, it's up you what technique is best for you.
This video is for demonstration purposes only and not a professional advice. Every effort has been made to accurately represent information on this page. Read our full disclaimer here: www.swimtechnique.tv/legal/ - Sport
Thanks for the video.
I've been swimming with a "straight arm" for years and developed Swimmer' s Shoulder.
I found that by alternating 5 laps of straight arm and 5 laps of high elbow catch, I have significantly reduced shoulder pain.
I believe that the physics of it are as follows (this is just approximate):
1) with a straight arm if you are applying 10 lbs of force through your hand at a distance of 2 ft from your shoulder, you are applying 20 ft-lbs of torque;
2) alternately, with a high elbow catch if you apply 10 lbs of force through your hand and it is only 1 ft from your shoulder, you are applying just 10 ft-lbs of torque. Less work for your shoulder and no loss in force applied.
I believe the muscles engaged in both strokes are also different but not being a PT or other I cannot comment on that aspect of it.
I look forward to hearing from anyone that knows about the bio-mechanics of the difference between the strokes and also any critique of my above analysis.
Take care.
Stan7670 similarly I had shoulder pain. Particularly the inside of it.
You are very welcome. We think your analysis is great as we all know that every person is unique and has a story. Thanks for sharing that! Also, can't tell you how many swimmers we saw throughout these years who just get in the water without proper stretching. It's important to prepare muscles before swimming workout. By performing even simple rotation of arms, the risk of injury can be significantly reduced. Thanks again for providing us your swimming input in this topic.
If you are above 60 or lesser , high elbow practice is highly recommended. I have adopted this successfully and I have seen a gradual decrease in the strain on the shoulder . I practiced it slowly making sure my arm movements are perfect and that way you will be surprised how quickly you get to the other side with lesser effort. Great video. Thanks
That’s awesome! Thanks for sharing your helpful tips with us.
As a result of straight arm catch I was getting slower and developed left shoulder pain. As I learned and switched to high elbow catch, I went from 2 min/100m to 1:40/100m almost with the same fitness level and body weight. I'm an advocate of high elbow catch now.
Why use straight arm for long distance . Doesn't make sense
I love reading all the comments and swimtech tv is so very patient to reply on each questions... Very informative though ! Thanks !
Thank you for your feedback, Darwin! It means a lot! We strive to make a swimming community on CZcams a better place and help everyone who would like to have a better swimming technique by showing these videos as well as giving free advice. Let us know if we can help. Cheers!
The degree of bend in the elbow will vary from swimmer to swimmer but the most important factor is how early the arm and how long the forearm can stay vertical. The Australians spent a lot of money to find out that the length of time the forearm spends in the vertical position was the key factor in maintaining speed. The flexibility and strength of the individual will usally determine how early a swimmer can move their forearm into a set (vertical position). As swimmers get stronger, I believe EVF will become the mainstay of the modern sprinter. A very nice video, thanks. Coach Topolski EVF techpaddle inventor who coined the term EVF.
Thanks! I've only just found out what catch is in swimming and this video has explained the two different types very well. I keep reading high elbow is better so I'm going to try that next time I go swimming as I think I usually do straight arm.
Thank you for your review! We will continue working towards this direction and upload more videos.
Thank you for a helpful input on our channel. We truly appreciate it!
your presentation just made me realize that i can utilize straight arm in sprinting, which i didn't realize before. i'm a competitive masters swimmer since 1986 and became a middle distance freestyler in the 2000's. i still sprint and do well but this could be a breakthrough adjustment for my sprinting. highelbow can be somewhat troublesome but i try to work on it. good video.
+Thomas Kilroy Thank you! Hope it helps you to improve your swimming technique and shave some seconds off you next race!
Very good! Keep us posted on you progress!
Thank you for video! I thought "straight" arm was a no-no. High elbow makes such a big difference but it's such an unnatural feeling.
In fact, it does! We are glad to hear from you and thank you for your comment.
This is the best vid I've seen so far for comparing & demonstrating "Straight Arm vs. High Elbow catch freestyle technique". Thanks for posting this. :-) I personally (@54) have had a rather serious arthritis problem in my shoulders for the past 2 decades, which makes the high elbow catch unbelievably painful for me... but I can manage the straight-arm pull just fine, as long as I'm careful, and take my time setting up my shoulder for the pull (good body rotation, active use of core muscles).
You are welcome and thank you for watching them and leaving valuable feedback! We truly appreciate it!
Carol4YeshuaAdonai There are a lot of pro athletes who successfully utilize straight arm technique but you are right about high elbow. It's definitely more powerful and efficient, however, not everyone can use it right and that's why I recommend to use what's best and fastest.
Thanks Alex! I believe Janet Evans, Freestyle Olympiad used straight & she was only 5' 5" according to Wiki.
What´s the better exercise to trainning the stroke with high elbow?
+Jofran Lirio Practicing shorter distances (something like 25, 2x25, and so on) and controlling your technique definitely helps. But underwater video analysis is really the winner!
Wether you're swimming high elbow or straight arm, just make shure you don't pull too early on the catch (when your hand has just entered the water). That will cause a lot of strain in the front part of your shoulder (will also lift you) and will probably cause injury. Btw, I prefer high elbow. Loved the video!
Hi there! Thank you for sharing your experience in learning both techniques. In order to have a better balance we can recommend the following: keep your head still, and look just a tiny bit forward. Make sure your legs are not crossing and lower body remains stable as well. It also might have to to with over-rotating your shoulders. Like any learning curve takes time, remain patient and work hard. Good luck and thanks for watching!
I think a straight elbow also is suitable for the breathing stroke beacause it pushes more water down and by that creates an upward lift wich makes it easier to catch more air breathing above the water. After the breathing I try to make at least 4 high elbow strokes breathing out under water long and completely.
Thank you for your feedback and sharing with us your story. I'm glad you liked it!
Great video. Never really swam before but due to a broken leg, I decided to improve my swimming. There's so many videos on what to do with your arms on here. Even among the local swimmers, most couldn't explain what exactly with their arms. This video completely made sense! Thank you for the great video! I have a better understanding of what my arms should be doing!
Francisco Garcia You are very welcome! I'm glad you found it helpful and hope you can incorporate those elements into your swimming technique! Cheers!
That's awesome! Thank you for sharing with us.
This was very amazing, your videos are the best
I used to swim with a very high elbow. whilst it felt more powerful, i found that it reduced my stroke rate, reduced my ability to rotate my body, and encouraged a dead-spot/over-gliding. Since then, i have switched to a deeper catch, although my elbow does still bend. i think of 'reaching over a barrel'. i think this is somewhere in between the two techniques described on this video. i feel it bridges the gap between power and tempo, and allows me to utilize my kick as an element of both balance and propulsion in my stroke.
+Nathan Jones Thank you for sharing your experience with us. It proves that there is no definite technique that fits every single swimmer. Cheers!
Quite interesting concept. I am still learning how to do the EVF. Maybe I should do a hybrid since I typically do the straight arm. What to do you mean by "deeper catch"? Do you spear your hand lower e.g. 40-60 degrees to the floor before the catch? Thanks if you can share some insight. I am thinking of pulling myself up a run of a ladder
Ye mate that's kind of it. I am still bending a lot at the elbow but I am not keeping my elbow right at the surface of the water.
Whereas before I would really be levering myself through the water, now my arm is constantly in motion. This way I am not ovegliding, but instead working through the water.
Nathan Jones Thanks for your input. I do prefer to "overglide" because I swim for exercise/endurance and not for speed to allow for some recovery. With a short fin I now could cover a 25 meter pool with 9 strokes. I am just 5'3". I think I will go for a hybrid stroke.
Nathan Jones Is tru that stright catch use for open water
you explained very well. good job man. keep it up .
Thank you for your question. You are right about high elbow above the water: you need some rest on you triceps and forearm and that's why I recommend high elbow above the water as well. However, if you prefer straight arm underwater, you might wanna try moving your arms straight above the water too. Great examples would be Michael Klim from Australia and Stefan Nystrand from Sweden.
This is a great video. I just started swimming again after a long time and finally I have some strength to start really working on my technique. Last time I trained I really enjoyed high elbow. Right now I am swimming straight arm, it's just more natural for me at the beginning. But will definitely try going high elbow again... It doesn't really matter which is better - changing styles is a really great way to make one's training more interesting and fun.
Thank you very much for your feedback and watching the video. Glad you enjoy swimming again after a long time off. It's nice seeing someone utilizing both techniques. For a long time I was using straight arm as well but now incorporating high elbow into my swim. The stroke is more powerful but as you mentioned the straight arm technique feels more natural. Cheers!
best video abut high elbow catch so far!
I'm glad you liked the video!
hi .. im orthopedist .. my son is egypt's national champ in his age 13 .. biomechanicaly straight arm is more injurious to the shoulder simply because you increase the moment arm ... only if you have a very strong shoulder muscle ( rotator cuff) you can do straight arm otherwise use high elbow
Hello! Thank you for sharing your expertise and knowledge and Congratulations to your son on being Egypt's national champ! Keep up the great work!!!
I appreciate any tips. I use paddles to consciously ingrain this EVF with the upper arm around 45 to the surface of the water. However, I noted it disrupts my rhythm and I lose my balance and streamlined position. If I just let go and swim, I feel I have a hybrid stroke between the straight arm and the ideal EVF.
Thank you for posting this comment and sharing with us your and your friend swimming experience!
Awesome! Good luck!
Thanks for the video. I am more used to the low elbow catch since I usually swim short sprints. I tried high elbow today, it felt more efficient for longer distances, though I had problems stabilizing myself. The rotation around my long axis didn't feel as natural as it does with low elbow. Seems like it will take some practice to get hold of it.
+Baklava Tee Thank you very much for your feedback and watching the video. It's highly appreciated. Good luck with swimming! :)
Thank you very much!!! I will practice!
Hi!! Thanks for this awesome video. They are becoming better and better. Love them. Since I returned to the pool 3 yars ago (after nearly 15 years out), I learned about the high elbow stroke and started practicing it. This technique gives me a great catch -- more powerful with less effort at the same time. It is great for 200m and even 100m. But I totaly agree with you about sprints... When doing a 50m the frequency is too high (+- 50 strokes/50m) for this technique, so straight arm works beter
very clear and useful thanks
+Med salah Thanks! Glad you liked
It!
I do straight arm, deep strokes. Deep strokes help my body to lift upwards and help me swimming on the surface to achieve greater speed
Returning to the pool after about 25 years and I personally find that the high elbow technique feels better... however I've never really been a sprinter and given that my best stroke is breastroke, that may play a big part of it. Thanks for the demo. It's something I can add to my kids' workouts though.
This is interesting. I've been learning to how to swim for 2 mos. I had been using the deep catch and was finally getting up to higher lap counts. Then I learned about the faster more efficient high elbow method. I was much faster the first time I tried it, but everything else was thrown off. By that I mean my recovery phase, breathing, gliding, etc. As a result I wasn't able to connect my laps. So my question is which stroke is better for longer distances, "1600-3200"?
Great video!
Thank you, Ben! We're glad you like it!
Just want to say thanks. I struggle doing the EVF but watching your video I think I can ingrain a new stroke, which is more efficient for long swim. I am covering 25 m with 10 strokes (of course I used a short fin) and hoping with EVF can drop it to 7-8 strokes.
thanks for posting
helpful movie, thanks for uploading
I feel high elbow option good for me.....
After the catch position should still rotate my hand in the water or better to pull it out ?
Exact
Y after my figures no more posting to the floor of the pool
i've been swimming with straight arm for awhile and have tried high elbow after watching your video...it seems like the breathing changes a bit but i think it's a nice way to exercise more the chest and change a bit :) . Thanks for the video!
Going to try this! I am self taught and am naturally a straight arm swimmer. Will have a go at high elbow catch in the pool and look at my stats to see the difference.
Very informative and clear vid - thanks!!
just curious...after doing the high elbow, how's your stats? I am just starting to learn the EVF. Any tips from your experience?
Combined with lengthening hand entry i have knocked about 8sec of an 80m set. I also used paddles to help hand position under water. It now feels natural rather than forced. It took a couple of weeks to really get it sorted. I still swim some laps "mindfully" - paying attention to all aspects of my stroke but it has definitely made me a stronger, faster and more efficient swimmer.
Paula Nichols Thanks. I have been doing the spearing/glide/lengthening, which definitely has helped. In addition,I also used the paddles to consciously ingrain the EVF but it disrupts my rhythm and balance. If I just let go, I feel I have a hybrid stroke, between the ideal EVF and straight arm. The spearing/lengthening tends to put the rest of the stroke in the proper sequence...still struggling to get that ideal EVF with upper arm about 45 degrees to the surface of the water. Maybe I should just stay with the hybrid stroke, since it seems more natural to me. Thanks again.
Sounds like if it ain't broke don't try to fix it! Nice to talk swim geek talk without funny looks! Good luck with it. 😄
Paula Nichols thank you. Appreciate your feedback. Will keep on swimming. I am losing my belly fat.
High elbow catch is too advanced for me so I prefer to use straight arm technique. Great explanation!
Im trying this tomorrow, hopefully it works for me
Thanks Alex !! I've watched a lot of videos and noticed quite a bit of variation amongst elite swimmers in terms of technique. Deep pull vs shallow pull , pulling down the center line vs not sweeping to the centre line, head looking forward vs looking down, early vertical forearm vs non early vertical forearm, high elbow recovery vs swinging arms, flat in the water vs body rotation, bilateral breathing vs unilateral breathing. So confusing !!! For recreational swimmers what in your opinion is the easiest technique to learn, that is going to minimize risk of injury and also is efficient in terms of energy consumption ? Thanks.
juandenz2008 In my opinion, every person is different. Therefore, I can't really say everybody should swim with straight arm or high elbow. Please try using both and see for yourself whats best. Throughout my sport career I've seen a lot of athletes who needed surgery after swimming with high elbow catch. Mainly because of improper use of technique and lack of stretching before working out. I hope this helps you a little bit. Cheers!
We want more of your VIDEOS !
Very,very nice. The name of the man with unbeliveable high elbow is
Sun Yang.
glad to see there is another people amazed by those !
Hi Alex thank you again. I am ttying to adjust myself to duck finns. I go to the 3.5ft pool first. This way I see how I can stand up. But I am insisting never give up. One question please when I am practising free style we must look down after breathing? Have a great day.
+Vera do Rego Lima thank you for your question! After breathing you do look down but many sprinters and me personally founds it very helpful when you tilt your head up and look slightly forward. Cheers!
nice video! Can you also show how the arm enters the water in both the techniques?
And some more details on how to do the high elbow? I'm a beginner in swimming.
Helo I m a female swimmer from Hong Kong who just get back to swimming after 20+yrs after high school. I previously m a straight arm swimmer, but after 2 months practice I hurt my shoulder. I treat for about 2 months now get back to practice. My online coach need me to change to high elbow catch+hip initiated body rotation., also change to both side breathing. It's so difficult to practice those drills. But I feel if I can do press&pull, I can feel my body push forward,but am more tired. Is that the right feeling of high elbow catch?
Also, is that right+left=1 stroke?
Hello! Nice to meet you, Lau! Good to hear you are back in the water! First step we recommend to students is to make sure you properly stretch before swimming. In regards to technique, your new technique adaptation might be difficult but shouldn’t hurt. High elbow catch is definitely more efficient. Both sides breathing is also great when learning swimming and working out hard sets but many athletes during races do one-side breathing. Every time your hand enters the water, consider you are taking a new stroke. Thanks for taking time and checking out our channel!
I use high elbow technique, i'm an open Waters swimmer. If I swim straigth arms for a long. time my shoulder aches.
also me haha
Thank you
I liked your video. I refer to the bent arm for the "pull": as "hugging the barrel". If you imagine a barrel is between your arm it helps with a good recovery; would you agree?
Good analogy! Thanks for watching the video!
Doreen Lloyd Is tru that stright catch use for open water swim
What technique is better to avoid Rotator Cuff injuries (and Shoulder tendonitis)? For long distance, open water swimming, high elbow helps me with Rotator Cuff pain after 3Km to 4Km. but I feel I use more energy to rise my elbow, even more if I have a wet suit. However, I see many open water elite swimmers using the straight arm technique ... Any feedback?
I have tried both methods during the process of learning to swim better over the past year. I found that straight arm keeps me more balanced and streamlined while high elbow makes me wobble and slightly unstable which undermines the advantage of the faster speed with high elbow.
Do you have any tips about having better balance and streamlined motion. Thanks
hey... awesome tutorial... can you show how to turn head for breath... and I am having difficulty with hand coming back into water from behind after hand goes back.. thanks..
+ankita gupta Thank you for your feedback and watching the video. We will definitely consider making a tutorial on how to turn your head, however, there is a video 'how to probably breathe in freestyle swimming' in our member's site.
What is that s your hand makes?At what point do you start that? Thanks. Very helpful.
Hi Peter! Thank you for your kind words. Straight arm technique shouldn't cause your front body to rise. Regarding legs, as soon as your kick is constant you'll be fine no matter whether it's a slow a fast pace. Thanks for watching!
i m wondering if i m swimming freestyle correctly. my right arm tends to feel muscle pull/strain easily especially when using straight arm style. i feel much better using high elbow.
I'm a beginner and I have problem related to breathing and I'm not able to make it timely ?
thank you for uploading! I'm curious if facing down rather than facing front is more efficient?
Jimie Chou Not really, however, facing a little bit front when swimming sprint distances (50m and 100m) might be beneficial. Thanks again for watching!
Thanks, great video. I guess this is the solution for my years of shoulder dislocation issue and pain; I've always used straight arm method, too forward and thumb down entry resulting in swimmer's shoulder. If anyone can suggest more swimming exercises / techniques (other than stretching, rotator cuff and scapular strengthening) to improve the issue I'd appreciate.
hi..another good video..does the straight arm not cause the front part of the body to rise, and legs to sink?
Hi- I've read about the 2nd technique you show in the vid. Don't you think you are dropping your elbow to soon in the demo? How long in the stroke you have to keep your elbow close to the surface. Cheers.
I found with the straight arm technique l had a 'flat' spot in my stroke before l could apply power. I have been playing with the high elbow over the past month and l am clearly quicker with it. The issue is changing the neural patterning and getting the muscle fibre to fire differently now. Just a matter of adjusting and thats time in the pool.
Another quick question about technique and Rotator Cuff injures: Hand entry angle and position? I am reading about different ways...any inputs here.....
Straight arm would be more suitable for me! Great explanation btw!
I like to alternate between both when I exercise. High elbow or basically bent elbow is what I call it. Indeed, the later demands more energy.
My left pectorial muscles are not growing as quickly as my right ones. Do you have any advice? I am right handed so I know that it is linked...
+alelooooooya Thanks for your question! In my case, I did go to the gym a few times a week and did bench press, pull ups and other generic exercises. That usually helps to build swimmer's body, including pectorals.
How many strokes do you take per length during each technique. I prefer the first technique and arms are not straight, elbow is still bending during the catch phase
10 strokes vs 8 strokes per 25m from the push off. :)
really that low only 8? elite i thought are around 10-13 ? I am new to swimming. May I ask for that stoke number how long in duration it take you?
....ah you push off so you are probably only doing stokes for about say 18meters?
Wow ! 8 strokes per 25m is little ! My stroke count is 14 per 25m with a consistant push off. Please could you give me some advice ?
Well, Does Janet Evans use the straight arm?
I'm curious if the likely hood of rotator cuff injury increases using the high elbow technique. I'd like to start refining my technique for efficiency but the body position looks some what uncomfortable
Try practicing both techniques and see which ones fells more comfortable and faster for you! Thanks for watching!
Hi Alex,
I am an amateur swimmer struggling to go fast enough for aquathlons. i am trying to swim with high elbow and i find it much more comfortable and balanced if on entry i move my arm a bit to the side and then start the pull. that is, untill my wrist would be very close to the outer side of my shoulder lines)... its like: i enter infront of shoulder line or bit inward, move my arm a bit wider than shoulder line and then initiate pull..... does doing this decrease my stroke rate? but i feel so much more balanced in water and the pull stronger...
thanks
Thanks for reaching out! It absolutely does not decrease your stroke as with this technique it seems like you are more efficient with your stroke. There are some swimmers who find their perfect technique thats works best for them, however, it might not work for everybody. Therefore, I'd recommend to stick with this technique and continue to keep up the great work. Feel free to ask if you have any further questions!
Any tips on going for the brick in lifeguard test?
I'm wondering what the stroke looks like above water in each case. Because of all the advice I've received in the past few years, I concentrate on having high elbows above water and straight entry because they seem to make better use of my body by causing less drag and more positive torque. Since I'm a heavy boned person with relatively dense pelvis and thighs, I try to get my core muscles, belly, and sides into the stroke. I don't have the V-shaped upper body like a Phelps. I kick, too.
It's the freestyle that Jason Lezak and Phelps use. Gallop/lope is a very kick driven freestyle, and is focused on a fast recovery and maximizing underwater speed. Just thought it would be awesome if you guys could put up a video for it since your quality and angles are so excellent. I'll PM you a link to a video GoSwim did.
The high elbow or the straight arm?
Thanks for the question. Straight arm doesn't produce as much power and efficiency as high elbow catch. Therefore, it will take you more strokes to overcome the distance. It doesn't matter if it's sprint or distance, you will have faster tempo with straight arm but the stroke won't be as efficient as high elbow. I hope this answers your question.
Thank you it was anjoy 👍🏼
Absolutely, anytime!
i love this video
High elbow is working well for me but in the process I tend to tighten my neck muscles. How do I avoid this coach. I would appreciate your advice. Thanks a lot. I always swim with the centreline snorkel as I have a torn right shoulder. This helps me keep my arms aligned and has helped me a lot. I swim six days a week and swim about 1.2 kms. I swim slow as I am 62 years old. 😂
Thank you for splashing by and sharing your swimming experience :) Tight neck might come from not having enough relaxation. Try rotating your shoulders more, even though you mentioned a problem. Using snorkel is a great way to control your underwater stroke but makes it harder to rotate shoulders. Sorry for a delayed response but just it time for summer time! :) Keep swimming and serve as a great example on what swimming should be at 62 :)
Could you possibly put out a video just like this for lope/gallop?
High elbow catch is the one suit for me!!!
i do a high elbow catching but I'm trying to drop some more time so I've been working on my straight arm pull
Hey, are you guys gonna post any videos on Water Polo ?
Hello! I appreciate you are coming back to watch our videos. There are few things that might cause pain: 1) you are not stretching enough before entering the water, 2) since you have been practicing freestyle for only few weeks, it's new for your muscles and joints therefore it might hurt in the beginning and then will go away, 3) not enough recovery after working out. P.S. It's quite hard to tell if you are doing something wrong since I haven't seen you swimming but hope it helps.
The reason that the straight arm technique is slower i think is because you push water downward initially. As long as you push water down you will slow yourself down in the process. You want to always push the water back and you will be faster. Hand entry, catch, and pull. So high elbow i would say is the better
I go for a 250 meter sprint,wich should i take,i think the high elbow
Definitely do a quick test before racing. Try pacing 200 with different techniques and see which one would be more suitable for you. However, for 250 we recommend high elbow. Thanks for watching!
Is bilateral breathing after every other stroke (is that the correct way to describe it?) as in the video the norm for a race too? Conversely, what happens if I start the race by delaying the breathing (breathing after more strokes) initially and then later in the race/length inevitably need to breathe at the same rate [and bilaterally] (as the frequency in the video)?
Does it upset the rythmn and actually cancel out any advantages I might have felt I gained by breathing after more strokes in the initial part of the race/length? Well, when trying it, I felt massively tired (and perhaps a lack of rythmn resulting) but technically if that's the way to do it then I need to work on my stamina by persisting with it! So, there's two parts to my question - bilateral breathing correctness and the frequency in the context of fast swimming or a race. Cheers
Hi and thank you for your feedback. We recommend to start the race by breathing normal patterns (you don't want all the lactic acid in your muscles after beginning the race). Depends on the race pick the right breathing pattern for yourself. If its 50/100, then the less breathing the better. If it's distance, then you want to supply muscles with oxygen more often. Thanks again for watching! Cheers!
Good question. I don't know the answer, but I've been watching a lot of swimming videos lately and it seems a lot of Olympic and Commonwealth games athletes breath every stroke cycle (ie unilateral breathing). I'm not convinced of the merits of bilateral breathing (yes technically it might make a person's stroke more symmetrical but at the expense of less oxygen).
Very true! Good video. Obviously the high-elbow catch is more powerful because you're using more muscle groups and moving more water.
Thank you!
Which technique is better for kids? We recently changed my daughter's swim instructor. The earlier one used to take a bend-elbow approach but the new one is changing her style to straight hand. I am confused.
+Shashi Shrimali Thank you for the question! It's one of the situations where it might be better to ask your daughter and see which one is easier and faster technique for her. Usually for kids, we recommend to start with basic straight arm technique. Even though it not as efficient as high elbow catch, very few kids actually can do the high elbow correctly as it more difficult and requires more power to do it right (also less confusing for the kids). But again, only the swimmer would know which technique is better and feels faster! Hope that helps a bit. Good luck!
Are both techniques correct? I got used to using straight arm because it feels more natural to me, but if that technique is wrong, I will have to correct it.
Thank for stopping by and watching the video. Absolutely, both freestyle swimming techniques are correct, however, you can experiment with each of them and see what works for you best. There are great athletes who used 'straight arm' pull and achieved incredible results. On the other hand, high elbow catch is generally more efficient technique.
I've been trying to increase my speed, but I'm unable to do that despite all my efforts.I changed my style to high elbow . The fastest i could do is 58s for completing 50 mtrs. Is there any thing that I may be overlooking. There are no coaches here that I can really look up on.
It is not that bad as you might think. Majority of people can't swim 25 meters without stopping, not to mention to go 50 under a minute. If you would like to drop some time, there are other way to do this: work on your breathing pattern (keep in mind: the more breaths you take, the more time it takes), how fast you push off the wall, and how efficient your flip turn (unless you practice in a long course pool). Ideally, you need to find somebody who can film your technique and analyze it. It could be a really breakthrough in your swim. Thanks again for stopping by and watching our channel. Best of luck!
I'm just trying out high elbow, thanks for slow mo, we learn nothing watching professionals zoom up and down the pool.
+flipper Thanks for watching!
If you pay a closer attention on the video, the swimmer tries to eliminate bubbles on the entry. The less the air, the more efficient the stroke will be. It's easy to see and test how your catch goes. Tilt your head up and observe your catch (there are many ways pro athletes do the catch). Hope that helps and thank you for watching!
So is he saying you should do straight arm (the 1st stroke) if you're trying to go fast? e.g. For 50m sprint
And then high elbow (the 2nd stroke) for better efficiency, so for general swimming? E.g. Endurance
+Gaz J This is correct! However, it's personal experience and does not apply to every single swimmer. Some athletes prefer only high elbow whereas others are perfectly fine with straight arm technique. Please experiment and see which is best for you! Thanks again for stopping by! Let us know when if any questions!
+SwimTechnique TV
Thanks for the response, I'm a big fan of your channel! I'll test it out when I'm next at the pools
I have noticed some swimmers that sprint with a combination of the techniques, one arm high elbow, the other one straight arm. What are your thoughts on this?
We are all different people, therefore we'll all have a slight difference in technique. If that makes you faster, then why not to give it a try. Thank you for watching and sharing the video.
hi for me it is more useful the second option. But what I steel don´t understand is the hand´s correct position when you get them into the water..