PDF This, I promise will be one of those short and sweet posts for freestyle technique!
There are several methods of thought out there with regard to hand position and placement during the entry phase of freestyle. In my travels throughout the swimming world, I have come to agree almost whole-heartedly with one of those schools of thought. This theory being that a good swimmer enters the water with a relaxed hand, more of a middle-finger/ring finger entry (not necessarily flat handed entry, but more so cupped and ready to start a high catch.
In my opinion, this style of entry cuts down on wasted movement in the water and significantly increases the chance of a proper catch and efficient pull (respectively). The primary reason being that I have seen almost every type of freestyle entry there is in the swimming world (though almost all swimmers differ slightly from detail to detail), and this technique has proven to me that it is the most efficient. Along with this, a significantly high percentage of high-performing freestylists appear to utlize some form of this entry.
So, if you agree, great, if not I would love to hear your thoughts so please feel free to leave a comment for our Hamden North Haven Swim Team blog!
Email
Twitter
RSS
Andy,
Just found your blog. Do you think having an entry that is slightly wider than one’s shoulder’s helps get a better middle/ring finger entry?
It would seem that a slightly wider than shoulder entry would also cut down on any unnecessary movement.
I am curious to hear your thoughts.
Thanks,
John
I used to swim competitively in the 1970′s. At that time we were taught to enter the hand in the water along the body’s midline, with the forefinger and middle finger entering first. The shoulder width entry is new for me, but it makes sense. After the catch, is the initial movement straight back before the insweep, or otherwise?
Thanks…I am relearning everything I knew. When I swam (I was a breaststroker) the head could not go below the water!
Mike