Freestyle Catch - Improve your freestyle propulsion and swim faster

The two key elements of swimming are decreasing drag and increasing propulsion in the water. Once you have worked on the specific techniques to reduce your drag, it’s time to tackle propulsion. This starts with the Catch. Also known as a ‘high elbow’. The catch starts after the hand entry. It makes sure your hand and forearm are in the right position to pull through. This is the most complicated and technical part of the freestyle stroke and is important to maximise your arm propulsion.

[@Lara-vp4dp]

This is the best video ever made about freestyle stroke! Many thanks!

[@gabscar1]

Very good explaination. Thanks!

[@Khangnguyentrankhang]

Thanhk you very good

[@iamnepalipleasehelp9981]

Love from nepal

[@goboughWL]

Thanks

[@josedoespiritosantopereira7240]

Gostaria que o idioma fosse o português para bom entendimento.

[@goboughWL]

Masya Allah senang saya melihatnya

[@Freptboy]

nice video. but what about the turning on the side.

[@cmillholland]

I've been teaching triathletes and distance swimmers a more efficient stroke for several years. The video is good, but can be misleading. Most swimmers, even experienced swimmers, cannot achieve the 90 degree angle this swimmer demonstrates at the start of the pull phase (2:19). That is a result of years of drills and practice. It requires considerable flexibility in the shoulder, which can only be developed over time. Some coaches use the term, early vertical forearm, which is more useful. But I like to call this and "elbow-leading catch." Intermediate swimmers have a propensity to drag their hand and forearm through the water with their elbow leading the pull. This is slippage. The goal is to set up the catch so that the hand and forearm start the propulsion as early is as possible. The key is to continue leading with the hand and forearm and slowly develop more shoulder flexibility over time. The video states that the elbow should bend 45 to 90 degrees, but any time you lead with the hand and forearm ahead of the elbow, with even just a 10 degree bend, you're on the right path. I use a couple drill to build muscle memory and develop a good catch. Using a snorkel (or periodically catching a breath), kick the length of pool with your arms perpendicular to the pool bottom, creating a square shape with your elbows pointing the sides of the pool and fingertips almost touching. In this position, press your elbows forward, trying to keep them ahead of your shoulders.* Next swim a modified dog paddle, bringing your elbows outward., sweeping your hands down to point your fingers to the bottom of the pool. Alternate right and left. You can do this with your face in the water (snorkel helps) or with your head up. Do not let your elbows travel past your shoulders! Another drill is to take a pair of small to medium sized paddles. Open your palm up, and place the edge of the paddle in your palm, then curl your fingers to hold the paddle so that it rests on you palm and forearm. I call this "reverse paddle." Swim a few repetitions trying to get your hands pointing to the bottom of the pool as soon as you can. This will force to think how your forearms drive the stroke, rather than trying to pull your hand into the stroke. The more you do these drills, the closer you will start to look like this swimmer. *Practice: Stand with your arms out, move them past the shoulders, then turn your hands inward without moving your upper arms. Now lift your shoulders forward slightly. That's the position to hold in the water.

[@Silvia-rc3pb]

Podría poner subtitulos en español por favor?

[@snezanagacinovicjovetic2584]

Please put the on serbian lenguage.

[@leuphoniemusic]

That high elbow thing is just.. weird. Why would one not use all of the shoulder and back muscles for maximum effect and instead pull with only the forearm like that? I don't get it.

[@eckdavid2472]

If you rely too much on the shoulder muscles, you risk injury. 'Swimmers' shoulder' is a big problem and it's way better to avoid it.

[@shomshomni2314]

I've been learning high elbows and I find that I'm much more efficient, faster, less tired. Not sure how it world but it works. Your hand cuts into the water

[@run3426]

You are beautiful just the way you look! To everyone! You are beautiful! You do not need adjustments to your beautiful body to look beautiful! Beauty is on the inside! You are beautiful outside just the way you look right now! You are important and you do have worth and meaning! Jesus loves you!

[@williamrithaler4051]

How many times can I say beautiful and beauty in one paragraph

[@gabscar1]

Thanks!

[@run3426]

You are beautiful just the way you look! To everyone! You are beautiful! You do not need adjustments to your beautiful body to look beautiful! Beauty is on the inside! You are beautiful outside just the way you look right now! You are important and you do have worth and meaning! Jesus loves you!

[@staarren8119]

Are you high