By lifting the head, our hips automatically sink down. The body takes on a slight incline from head to toe, perhaps 7 to 10 degrees, as the swimmer labors through the water.
by Gary Hall, Sr., January 22, 2017It seems like a simple question. Yet, I am surprised by how many people don’t quite know what to do with their hands either underwater on the pull or above water on the recovery. For both parts of the stroke cycle, it is important that you know.
There are huge differences in how you can pull underwater with your arm; differences in power and differences in frontal drag. But, like so many aspects of swimming technique, the underwater pull involves compromise. The question is, which way is best?
Most swimmers think of the legs as only providing some propulsion. The kick actually serves four different functions in the swimming stroke; propulsion, lift, stabilizing force, and sustain speed (inertia).
Gary Hall, Sr., demonstrates, and explains, hip- versus shoulder-driven freestyle. Which technique is best for you? One, the other, or something in between?