What Should Your Arms Be Doing In Freestyle?

[@RowdyBreezer]

I've watched hundreds, if not thousands of swimming videos and this is absolutely the best concise explanation of proper freestyle arm movement. Thank you!!!

[@jirup]

This is super helpful. Coming back to swimming after multiple decades out of the water and lung cancer, it's taken most of the season to find my stroke. I'll definitely add this to my drills.

[@dannydubsy1674]

Excellent Truly excellent! You have no idea who I am and are thousands of miles away, yet thanks to you I have never swum better (63 yrs old lol!) and never enjoyed swimming so much! And your presentations so absent of pretension! Wondefrul. Really! Thank you.

[@pcmjpcmj6854]

Note that she exits the water pinkie (little finger) first. So avoiding pushing against the water with the palm of the hand which would act to push her hips down and cause drag.

[@johnhealy6676]

This is an important point that coaches do not point out as important

[@Alex-kr7zr]

Thanks. That's what I was looking for. Nobody is explaining this. Do you know at which point the rotation starts? It's hard to see on the video.

[@MrMahdy]

I want you to know that you are truly the best. Your dedication, expertise, and passion for swimming are unmatched. The way you motivate and guide us makes a huge difference in our performance and confidence. I wholeheartedly believe that your coaching is top-notch, and I am incredibly grateful to be under your guidance. You have my full respect and appreciation!💌

[@MrLookan]

Great video and explanation! You mentioned a lot o swimmers apply too much power too soon, i would love to have a dedicated video on this, explaining how to apply power properly throughout catch and power phases and how one can train to do it correctly!

[@adryana90]

Thank you for the channel and videos! I have started to take classes, strong anxiety in the water; after changing teacher, things changes dramatically! He has helped me a lot, not like the other one that was getting angry as I was evolving very slowly and with a lot of fear. I appreciate this kind of videos. I am now learning freestyle and I find it very useful to watch videos! i really like it, more than breaststroke, and I hope to continue to learn and be more confident every day

[@prathameshpatil0810]

Thankyou Brenton! This is the best analysis video i have ever seen! Have literally taken down notes from different time stamps and I will be working on them. The drill in the end is also something which I want to practice at my swim today! Super thanks! Very helpful! Again, I can’t thank you more🙏!!

[@brucejohnston6184]

Another great video thanks mate. There's always a nugget in there that'll help with something... this time is was thinking of "forward elbow" as much as "high elbow". Looking forward to getting to Aus & having a session, this year is the goal.

[@lizhilliar5479]

Thank you so much! I am 70 and improving my technique. With the help of a coach, but you are an excellent co-coach and she appreciates that I do some research myself. You have broken down the arm movement really well😊

[@alanhouston5874]

Your videos have dramatically improved my swimming, Thank you! One thing I haven’t seen you cover is the out of the water section of the arm in the freestyle stroke. Especially what stage your underwater arm should ideally have reached when the fingers on the other arm start to break the water

[@tr1cesta]

There is a video on the recovery phase of freestyle.

[@TheOdobree]

I've enjoyed all the videos I've watched...and only got switched onto you a few weeks ago!

[@DarrynFisk]

Really awesome and easy to follow. I have trouble breathing so I’ll check out some other videos

[@Silence-vr6og]

Thank you very much for this info! Now it makes sense why I was wasting so much energy with those straight hand strokes

[@katejoel4991]

Fabulous. Really helpful. Thankyou

[@jeffreywiddop762]

I think it's a feeling of swimming along, lifting my body and head higher in the water, less resistance noted. And using a more rapid kick helps. I have found improvement doing that on my front crawl. It also helps a better pull. Not taking away your very good advice sir.

[@angelamcquillan366]

You're a great teacher! Wonderful breakdown of this stroke. Thank you!

[@mecheiledwar2052]

Many thanks for your all learning issues you share it... Kindly do some vedio for people have some rigidity in their shoulders so they can not extend full arm... Thanks a lot... All the best

[@SharonRamel]

Love this, I had the privilege of attending Hell Week in Thailand in 2023 - I love to watch these videos to refresh and help get me back on track ❤

[@superduperpatrick]

Thanks for explaining so thorougly, especially the parts with the degrees for arm movements. It should help when I'm practicing.

[@TheMitchellHarris]

Amazing- thanks a lot for such a great breakdown

[@SolBonito2010]

Such a fantastic video!! Ty

[@MarkLRandall]

Thank you! I'm gonna use that drill from here on out. I already do a few laps with fins and snorkel, I'll add the four arm positions.

[@domenicruberto608]

love your work!!!! so informative its .. thank you!

[@vozzen]

I think a problem with the catch for beginners is that is that it is so taxing to pull the whole way, especially when you probably are a bit unbalanced and create a lot of drag. For beginners I would advice finding a balanced and efficient position and then focus on a good catch. Probably do some dips to add some strength, and add some flexibility work. This is what I have found for myself at least. I can perform a good catch but after like 300 meters I am tired and my muscles are heavy and tight from the effort, and perform a good full catch is impossible even though I know how it should be done.

[@tcns3530]

Thank You!! Great Video!!!

[@elclaudiosanchez]

Great video thank you

[@WaltKemnitz]

Super helpful! Walt from Ann Arbor

[@TMD3453]

Thanks, I played this a 0.25 speed to see how bent the arm is on going in to the water. Not much, but a little. I suppose you don't want to bend the arm too much before entering. It's not a oerfectly straight entry as far as I can see. Thanks per usual for the excellent work.

[@TheOdobree]

Loved it!

[@nakkanful]

Great video. Very helpful

[@jc10747]

Excellent video and great description and analysis of the arm stroke. However, I feel that the coordination with the kick could have been confirmed early in the video (albeit this is secondary to the point of the video), particularly around the 1:07-1:10 and when the video snaps for a brief period to a second swimmer. As well, and perhaps related to the kick timing, is the overhead shots of the first swimmer where we clearly see thoracic spine lateral movement and the head oscillating to the breathing side, with the result of a slight bend backwards to the breathing side. Given that the arm movements of the first swimmer are great, what’s going on to cause that thoracic bend and increased drag when breathing? My bet is the slight off timing of the downstroke kick with the opposite hand entry…the exact hand entry, that is, not the slightly delayed hand entry/downstroke of the first swimmer. In contrast, the second swimmer nails this “check point”. Further along the video we see the first swimmer nailing the catch with the same side downstroke kick, but it’s a tiny bit delayed, and the body rotation is also a tiny bit delayed (maybe even missed at the hand entry point, and being made up slightly later, also contributing to the thoracic bend). Yes, the main point of the video is the arm movements, and that is done brilliantly with the digitizing and discussion. However, perhaps what’s missed with this isolation is the coordination with the lower body, which is something we’re seeing brilliantly demonstrated by elite swimmers.

[@scottreutter]

I love the ymca drill!

[@fxasesor]

Excellent explanation amazing video! Thanks

[@RisetoShine921]

I swim masters, and never swam competitively. When doing a faster set, I was told to move my arms faster. When I tried to move my arms faster it felt harder to hold good technique throughout the pull phase. I'm sure there is some part of the stroke that suffers. For me it was the reach phase, only because of the pause in this phase. Perhaps my pause is too long and that's why I'm being told to move my arms faster? Eliminating this pause allowed me to initiate the catch upon hand entry, which in turn was the change I needed to move my arms faster. I was more tired, but faster (I presume). My conclusion is that elite athletes have married the best of both worlds: very good technique combined with speed. Is this the trade-off for speed when doing sprint sets?

[@brentcharlton1065]

Great video. What do you think about branching out and doing videos on the other three strokes?

[@EffortlessSwimming]

There’s strokes other than freestyle? 😂

[@brentcharlton1065]

@@EffortlessSwimming spoken like a true triathlete lol 🏊‍♂️ 🚴🏼 🏃

[@Alex-kr7zr]

One important question I haven't seen much explanation for: Right before the hand leaves the water at the hips, are you supposed to slightly rotate it or just keep pushing with the palm oriented to the surface? I can't fully tell from the video.

[@bejaiavgayet4361]

bravo a vous

[@paulwatts3617]

I've found that feeling like i'm slightly pushing my elbow out as i start the catch helps with getting the forearm vertcal. & engages the lats for the pull, taking pressure off the shoulder

[@leslie.borerwe]

great video..well explained

[@damianrees7268]

I like the swimming torpedo drill

[@michaelkane3594]

A nice powerful kick

[@henridanielski9318]

Now I know what means "High elbow", good video.

[@gusrallim]

Can't wait to try this tomorrow

[@slipperypisces5688]

always looking for improvement 💘 GREAT VID 👀

[@pinarofdag]

Perfect !!!

[@alisonwilks302]

I very much enjoyed this video and I very much enjoyed this swimmer 😍😍😍😍 lovely lovely rhythms ❤❤❤❤

[@RicardGomes76]

Do you have a take about Adam Walker technique? Would love to know your say about him, be it pro or con.

[@sunshinebear87]

Bit of cross-over with her non-breathing side arm entry when she breathes? Her hips sort of wiggle-waggle as a result.

[@Diegodidac80]

Im.stuck doing 2:38/100mts 😢 But i maintain the trainning for 2:00/100 first and then with a lot of work finally maded to 1:40/100mts

[@ОлегИванов-с5е5и]

What was her pace approximately? And did she swim at 80-100% of her max or she just keep her cruise speed which she can hold for long distances like 1000-2000m. Thanks for the video. It’s very informative and useful

[@sockful]

Please comment on the 11 min. 37 sec mark of the video where she appears to be snaking through the water. Could this be caused by the light bulb arm stroke design that you mention next in the video. Wouldn't this snaking increase drag?

[@Sean-Patrick]

Awesome. Thanks a lot

[@Harry-hyl]

the way she breathes stands out to me. it looks very efficient. if i could do that...

[@antonyavorskyi4688]

What about short distance sprinting, do you have any analysis with a straight arm swim? Thanks!

[@nikilragav]

16:22 how open should the fingers be?

[@tamunotonyeedward2544]

Thank you sir. The video was helpful. I'm more of a beginner, from Nigeria, but I stopped for a while after my online coach passed away__coach Tracy Maccoux of Minnesota(she was critically ill). So I got back to swimming about two weeks ago, and I started developing serious neck pains after my swims. Also I, I feel my hands get stucked at the back while trying to recover them for the next arm pull. Any tip on how to improve will be appreciated. And hence forth I'll be glued to your channel.Thanks!

[@EffortlessSwimming]

you might be pushing too far back past the hip. Neck pain I would normally check head position as it might be too far forwards

[@alonsomoreno7340]

thanks......

[@ReVoltaire]

It looks she's doing a strong 6 beat kick, with a very high stroke rate and probably around 1:10/100m pace? None of this is remotely applicable to age group swimmers trying to improve their catch and pull. With a weak two beat kick and much lower stroke rate, the age grouper's body position will be much less streamlined. Meaning they won't be able to replicate the technique shown in any way shape or form realistically. Even in the abstract as a "model" it's not really applicable or attainable. I do think age group swimmers might be able to glean something useful from an elite distance swimmer doing their slowest, most relaxed stroke rate and speed.

[@XFaramir]

Yeah i agree ! I was really mesmerized by her kicking , too strong.

[@mikealexander7017]

I think everything about the catch, pull and press still applies to sluggish age-groupers with a weaker two-beat kick (like me). The main difference is that you need to focus on head position and core support to maintain a good streamline.

[@krisarkin8867]

👋👋👋👋👋👋👋thanks

[@JordanP132]

Why is it better to straighten and extend your arm in the water instead of in the air?

[@mheitm]

Because you're only fully extended when you're straight, and when you're fully extended, including the shoulder, do you have all the muscles at your disposal for an optimal stroke. Like reaching towards the ceiling with one hand when you're standing, you're not going to have your arm behind you.

[@irfuel]

Would be nice to see this with someone going literally half her speed. This is not representative for amateur long distance swimmers.

[@Aquaterracoaching]

Actually, it is. This is the form you want whether you’re swimming at 2:00/100 or 1:00/100. Body balance is the key. 🗝️

[@tr1cesta]

In the settings - “playback speed” 🤷‍♀️

[@82powpow]

just slow down the play back speed

[@antiVeganism-pf3on]

no heart for you 😂

[@notmyrealname6272]

I would love it so much if anyone at all could help me with why my shoulder is so painful. I have a coach and apparently I’m not sweeping in or out or doing anything funny but I wonder if I’m pulling when my shoulder is still really extended forwards. I just don’t know. Or internally rotating ..??It’s really holding me back. Help!!❤

[@notmyrealname6272]

What do you think about in terms of getting shoulder from stretched out by cheek position to where it is in power diamond? Ps great video. Finally one where it’s paused enough and slow enough and repeated enough to actually see what’s what! Thanks a million.

[@alikemalcaylan6877]

If you press your arm straight down even for a moment you get shoulder pain if it is in the joint. That is why early vertical forearm is valued.

[@notmyrealname6272]

@@alikemalcaylan6877 I find that when I try to get EVF I internally rotate my shoulder and that’s when it hurts. Argh. This is driving me mad!

[@emmyin]

Thank you so much! One question - you said the arms must be continuously in motion, but then what about"catch up" where we are told to make sure one arm touches the thumb or catches up with the other arm before the second arm starts its pull...? Won't there be that fraction when there are both arms in front together for a small glide.

[@EffortlessSwimming]

Catch up drill requires a pause of the hand which is fine but when swimming we want to avoid it

[@triathlon9045]

Lovely swimmer however. It appears that she is slightly dropping her elbow at the extension of her arm and also massive cross shown when you freeze the head on shot?

[@bennnofrederic]

Seems to be working for her just fine, otherwise she probably would not be an olympic swimmer.

[@triathlon9045]

@@bennnofrederic but if she didnt would she be an olympic gold medalist?

[@erwinveenhoven]

Good video. Good style. Some nitpick possible on the left arm (slight crossover with left arm on entry and in some strokes an awkward angle to the elbow). Could be due to the tempo induced 2 stroke breathing to the right as the 'wobble' only occurs on the non-breath left side. It's no way near a dropped arm so It's really nitpicking! :)

[@EXPLORADVEN]

❤️❤️❤️🏊🏊🏊❤️❤️❤️🏊🏊🏊❤️❤️❤️

[@masteragency5239]

Why she's not spreading her fingers?

[@pablojimenez5736]

Finally, a swimmer can be doing everything right but is doing over 20 arm strokes per pool. Does this mean is doing something wrong?