Good extension in freestyle is important, and the taller the swimmer, the more important it is to really take advantage of your reach.
Of course, what happens after this tells the difference between the good and the great swimmers.
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Great picture! If I've said it once, I've said it a millions times to my kids - "reach" |
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Hope he is already starting his pool cause I would want that extended arm a little closer to the surface of the water. But that's just me. |
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oops that would be pull not pool. haha |
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I'd agree, Old Marlin, unless it's an optical illusion from the angle of the photo. In this instance, if the hand is drifting down it could cause the sroke to 'bounce', rather than an early catch. Great stretch and rotation though and, as the caption says, it's what happens after the extension that matters in terms of propulsion. |
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Actually, the arm/hand position in the photograph is perfect for the catch to begin. Any higher and there is much less strength and power and there would definitely be more bounce with the hand closer to the surface. One of the keys to great stroke length though is not about the reach, it is about maintaining the lead arm in that extended position long enough for the other arm to finish the pull to the thigh and begin the recovery. If instead, the swimmer begins the recovery of the other arm when the hand is at the hip, the swimmer will not be able to initiate the catch, the front arm will end up pushing down, and the swimmer will bounce. Bounce happens when the swimmer is flat and short strokes. |
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Chris
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