The ‘S’ Curve in Freestyle Swimming
The “S” Curve
Too many times I have heard swimmers ask me, “should I do the ‘S’ Curve when I pull?”
The “S” Curve has been a method, created by the Red Cross, of teaching a swimmer how to do the “proper” pull in freestyle. However, this is not exactly correct. First, there are many things you need to concentrate on and learn in freestyle before you tackle the pull. Making an S in the water as you pull can actually be disruptive to the rest of your stroke. Learn first to swim on your side by practicing balance drills. Once you have that down, you can then focus on pulling:
As you slice your hand in the water and move it forward, keep moving it forward until it is straight. Bend your elbow and pull back as you rotate your hips and the other arm comes foward. As you catch the water, curve your hand back inward toward your belly button, then out again by your hip as your hand exits the water. The end of the pull should be pushing the water towards your feet by straightening out your arm with your hand next to your hip.
Avoid “crossing over”, or reaching past the middle of your body as you rotate or breathe. Think of keeping your pull to the outside.
hi kevin, Jose Flores from mexico here. I wanted to ask if you are planning on doing some summer clinics in San Diego. If so please let e know I’d like to fly up there for a on site clinic.
regards
Jose Flores
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triswimcoach Reply:
July 14th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
Hi Jose, I have nothing planned right now as far as swim clinics go unfortunately. Maybe September. One idea is to head up to the Triathica training center in Irvine and spend a few hours there, getting your stroke analyzed being one of the things you can do. Check it out at http://www.triathica.com
Good luck!
Kevin
[Reply]