In my recent post about paddles, a tri coach left this comment about using paddles to develop proper technique:
Nice post, Carol. IMO paddles are best used in training to perfect two subtle details of form:
1) a full reach, without dropping the wrist–if you do, the paddles’ increased surface area causes you to instantly, dramatically decelerate. Imagine the effect of putting your hand out in the classic “Stop” gesture; and
2) a proper initiation of the pull. I use the metaphor “roll your pinky over the far outside corner of the ball.” Paddles penalize you for failing to do this.
The past two times I went swimming, I focused on these things.
1) I am indeed dropping my wrist in the “Stop” gesture noted above. It was so slight that I never noticed it until I actually looked for it. And the paddles really emphasized it. I am working on correcting
2) I don’t get this one. I tried the pinky concept that Mark describes, but all it does is cause my arm to drift sideways, across the centerline of my body.
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Hi, Carol, I'm back in the frozen north after a week-long Florida vacation. Ahhh...
So, your thumb enters the water first upon recovery, but you need to complete your reach (both to "lengthen your vessel" and to "anchor your hand" in preparation for the pull). And, guess what? You've rolled over onto your other side meanwhile, with a "corkscrew" movement of your torso (a metaphor you use in a later post, that I may also comment on, Lord help ya!).
That metaphor also applies to the movement of your forearm in the transition from catch, through extension, thence to pull. Indeed, it's simpler than, and in every way but one, than my "pinky over the ball."
What mine adds is the sensitivity to the early movement of the hand in the initiation of the pull. You want water to begin to move backwards as soon as possible, which entails flexing the wrist and then the elbow in a very dynamic manner. TI speaks of "reaching over a barrel." I find my phrase cues improved focus on the action of the hand and forearm.
Did this help? ;) I hope so.
Carol, I'll write later with an attempt at clarification. It's indeed fairly subtle.
Mark