I would like some advice from those who have added a little "pull" back into their freestyle.
One of the major advantages of TI is its emphasis on learning to use core muscles to drive the freestyle stroke. We do this by consciously avoiding "pulling" and emphasizing "spearing" with the opposite arm.
We learn about "catching" like reaching over a Volkswagen hood. We learn to seek a "thick water sensation."
We don't learn much about what happens after the catch and before the recovery --- dare I say the "pull phase." I believe this is a deliberate omission to combat most students' shoulder-driven technique. However, I am now at the point where I feel that my pull is TOO de-emphasized, and I am swimming too slowly as a result.
I feel like my arm almost passively drifts from the catch until it exits the water...I don't think this is optimal.
I want to add enough shoulder girdle muscle to swim faster without overdoing it. I definitely don't want to change to a shoulder-driven technique. My goal add just enough pull to optimize my technique without changing the TI-character. My lats and pecs need to contract enough (more than they do now) to effectively transfer core power to my forearm and pull my scapula back to neutral position. However, I definitely don't want to injure my shoulders by overdoing the pull.
I have tried single arm freestyle with the opposite arm extended and like the effect it has on re-shaping my catch. I also feel my pecs and lats working harder during the pull. In whole stroke, I notice that I am now rolling into my catch and a little earlier and with more vigor. My stroke count drops by 1 if I catch and roll the improved way using a bit more shoulder girdle power and I have shaved 1 - 2 sec off each length.
Would anyone who has worked through these issues please let me know how you learned to "pull" the TI way?
Thanks in advance, Clark
Conf: Freestyle From: Mark
i just completed an advanced freestyle class which is grounded in TI drills. however we spent a considerable amount of time on sculling drills, two arms and one arm. the instructor incorporated the sculling into the easy anchor drill.
i've become a fan of this drill as it helps me work on my hip rotation, balance, and pull/catch. the sculling was new to me and it overloaded my brain initially. but i got the point which is to keep my elbow up and hand down and that the pull isn't straight back, to to speak.
it was really helpful to see myself on video as i saw how i was spearing my arm straight out and down a bit, but i was failing to point my hand down and keep my elbow up, i wasn't scooping with my hand and forearm.
I would like some advice from those who have added a little "pull" back into their freestyle.
One of the major advantages of TI is its emphasis on learning to use core muscles to drive the freestyle stroke. We do this by consciously avoiding "pulling" and emphasizing "spearing" with the opposite arm.
We learn about "catching" like reaching over a Volkswagen hood. We learn to seek a "thick water sensation."
We don't learn much about what happens after the catch and before the recovery --- dare I say the "pull phase." I believe this is a deliberate omission to combat most students' shoulder-driven technique. However, I am now at the point where I feel that my pull is TOO de-emphasized, and I am swimming too slowly as a result.
I feel like my arm almost passively drifts from the catch until it exits the water...I don't think this is optimal.
I want to add enough shoulder girdle muscle to swim faster without overdoing it. I definitely don't want to change to a shoulder-driven technique. My goal add just enough pull to optimize my technique without changing the TI-character. My lats and pecs need to contract enough (more than they do now) to effectively transfer core power to my forearm and pull my scapula back to neutral position. However, I definitely don't want to injure my shoulders by overdoing the pull.
I have tried single arm freestyle with the opposite arm extended and like the effect it has on re-shaping my catch. I also feel my pecs and lats working harder during the pull. In whole stroke, I notice that I am now rolling into my catch and a little earlier and with more vigor. My stroke count drops by 1 if I catch and roll the improved way using a bit more shoulder girdle power and I have shaved 1 - 2 sec off each length.
Would anyone who has worked through these issues please let me know how you learned to "pull" the TI way?
Thanks in advance,
Clark
Conf: Freestyle
From: Mark
i just completed an advanced freestyle class which is grounded in TI drills. however we spent a considerable amount of time on sculling drills, two arms and one arm. the instructor incorporated the sculling into the easy anchor drill.
i've become a fan of this drill as it helps me work on my hip rotation, balance, and pull/catch. the sculling was new to me and it overloaded my brain initially. but i got the point which is to keep my elbow up and hand down and that the pull isn't straight back, to to speak.
it was really helpful to see myself on video as i saw how i was spearing my arm straight out and down a bit, but i was failing to point my hand down and keep my elbow up, i wasn't scooping with my hand and forearm.
mark
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