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Freestyle - Reaching Your Limits

Posted by Glenn Mills on Jul 29, 2008 09:05AM (12,656 views)

Reaching complete extension in freestyle is one way to make sure you're getting a complete stroke.  Getting a complete stroke is a great way to make sure you're reaching your potential.


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Why Do It:
The best freestyle strokes come when you've started your hand as far out front as possible.  This way you'll have a much better opportunity to draw your body toward THAT spot.  To move as far forward on each stroke as possible, you need to make sure you've started at the furthest point in front.

How to Do It:
1.  Swim freestyle slowly and smoothly, like on the video.
2.  Extend your arm as far forward as possible out front.
3.  Feel the extension through your shoulders, lats and back.
4.  Allow your body to roll to aid in the extension.

How to Do It Really Well (the Fine Points):
Extend, extend and extend.  Take your time, and feel the extension not just with your hands, but also with your entire body.  You should almost feel a groan escape on each stroke. 


Tags freestyle, pull


Responses

Responded Jul 29, 2008 01:52PM

Looks like she is also practicing the Early Catch hand and finger position from Dave's drill:

http://www.goswim.tv/entries/5374/breastst...

Responded Jul 29, 2008 03:02PM

awesome!
Responded Jul 29, 2008 03:14PM

Since I am a right side breather the extension of my left arm comes to me very natural...and so does the pull...but with my right arm I really have to focus on its complete extension and frontward bending of the elbow for a good pull. The lady in the vid seems to have some trouble with her right arm pull.
Anyway the thing is that it really makes a big difference...even if your extension is only a few inches more.
Responded Jul 30, 2008 10:27AM

this driil so good chaz the swimmer can reach the farest point with his hand
Responded Jul 30, 2008 02:16PM

Barbara, I saw the EXACT same thing with the fingers, which I was hoping someone would notice... of course, it's YOU! :) I loved that when I saw it because it's so small, yet so important to lead into the catch. Nice catch. You're very good.
Responded Jul 30, 2008 03:22PM

lol. I had good teachers along the way. Speaking of which, it's just so cool that Dave still teaches us so much about the stroke. I have been experimenting with his hand/finger position for breaststroke, and it's amazing that this tiny adjustment somehow encourages you to get just a little bit more extension out front and through the armpits/lats. Thanks, Davo!
Responded Jul 31, 2008 05:33PM

Hi Barbara...can you tell me what exactly is that tiny adjustment...I am trying to develop my breaststroke. Thanks.
Responded Jul 31, 2008 05:43PM

Hi Tomas
Go back and look at Dave's hands and fingers on this drill:

http://www.goswim.tv/entries/5374/breastst...

That's the tiny adjustment -- slightly curving the fingers as you lead into the catch.
Responded Jan 13, 2009 08:16PM

Can't get any sound when i play this video...all other videos i watched have sound
Responded Jan 13, 2009 09:24PM

There's no sound on this video.


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