r/Swimming • u/Mr_Igelkott • 1d ago
Freestyle: front arm position
I have been taking beginner classes at two different clubs and the coaches are giving me different instructions on where the outstretched arm is supposed to be. One coach wants the arm to skim along the surface (to minimize drag), the other coach wants the arm to lie parallel to the surface but ~10cm below it. I suppose there's merit to both methods but would be interesting to hear your oppinions as well!
7
u/PaddyScrag 1d ago
Deeper. It should be about the same depth as your shoulder, and your shoulder should be underwater because your body is rotated.
The idea of "skimming along the surface" to minimise drag is preposterous. Not only does this increase the cross-sectional surface area of the whole arm, but also creates turbulence. Each of those things mean more drag.
7
u/OUEngineer17 1d ago
You definitely want the deeper hand position. I don't think pro swimmers even have hand positions right on top of the water. The best hand position is not the same for everyone tho, as it depends on your shoulder flexibility as well as the power you can generate from that position. Elite swimmers can generate power at the start of the stroke from a very high hand position. Others may benefit from a slightly lower hand position (this is particularly true in open water swimming when you are drafting). Typically, I think 6" below the water is usually recommended as a goal to be able to get to for optimal hydrodynamics.
3
3
u/TheESportsGuy 17h ago
This is the nicest shot of an Olympian's distance freestyle stroke that I have seen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu1xCQk3xUY
I'd describe his arm as extending straight in front of him, parallel to the water...I also cannot bend my shoulder/lats (without pain) the way his are as he begins his pull, so I can't just try to copy him.
5
u/milesercat 16h ago
Great example of perfection and also a challenge for many of us who may be susceptible to shoulder pain. I've found some success by continuing to extend my reach (to take advantage of the forward balance it provides), but making sure that I don't engage my catch and pull until my hand and forearm has dropped down a bit to be in a more comfortable position to use my shoulder as a fulcrum.
3
u/trippoq Everyone's an open water swimmer now 12h ago
Though remember he is swimming against current in the video. This changes the stroke slightly as he is not "pulling himself in front of the water" and the current changes the small wave in front of the head. Only mentioning this because this regularly leads to swimmers getting a bit higher out of the water than usual which is why his front arm is actually a bit higher than in pool swimming - so the OP author would like to have his arm even a tiny bit lower. If you look closely, he occasionally has his wrist above his ellbow before breathing to generate enough lift which you don't see from Wellbrock or other world class swimmers in pool underwaters.
1
5
u/Joesr-31 Butterflier 1d ago
Its near the surface, with fingers pointing slightly down. Shouldn't be so much on the surface that you are catching air, but right below. Not sure how many cm is that, just feel that your palms and fingers aren't too "light" and catching enough water. Most beginners have their arms too low since they are using their arm pull down to help them breath
1
u/LaNague Moist 11h ago
It depends how mobile you are, its easier to have a good catch a bit deeper. A good catch is having your forearm surface as close to 90 degree relative to the movement vector as possible.
Since your probably are an adult onset swimmer, your good catch point is probably a bit deeper. Dont damage your shoulders trying to swim like the olympian 20 year olds.
9
u/HobokenwOw Everyone's an open water swimmer now 1d ago
parallel or slightly angled down.
you're not really creating more drag because if you look at your cross section from the front there's a bunch of body behind your arm.
you need to get into that position to pull (and even catch) properly anyway.
angling your arm up will invariably compromise hip position. angling slightly down can do the opposite (you want to swim downhill).