The following video is a good example of how we (the Hamden North Haven YMCA Typhoons) start to learn the freestyle catch up drill. The swimmer demonstrates an excellent streamline position which is something that we stress. However, things to remember that this swimmer has a difficult time doing:

• Rolling to and through the other hand; your hands should meet in that streamline position, but your body should not stop rolling at that point. The body should continue to roll until your recovery hand passes over top of the next pulling hand. Remember that the easiest and most efficient way to complete this drill is by rolling from one axis to the next! There are a lot of swimmers in Connecticut (and all around the U.S.) that have a hard time remember to fully rotate.
• The kick should be a non-stop motor throughout this drill. At this demonstration speed, there should be 6 kicks on one axis, 6 kicks during the roll from one axis to the next, and 6 kicks on the next axis (and repeat). This particular swimmer, unfortunately, does not remember to keep the kick consistant and doesn’t get the most out of the drill that he can.

Overall, though, this is a great way for our Hamden North Haven Swim Team kids to really get to know the Catch Up Drill!

For more information on Typhoon Swimming, please feel free to contact us at any point!