Swimming: High Elbow Catch

A coaching demonstration of how to achieve a high elbow and better feel for the water.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• swimming
• high
• elbow
• marc
• evans
• coaching
• training
• vertical
• forearm
• EVF
• catch

[stormott77]

I guess the biggest difference is your body is out of the water on a surfboard. If you keep your elbows high your upper arms wont be in the water. I'm not sure it this would make you lose some pull and having your elbows a little lower might be better. What do you think? I was trying to use more catch yesterday in the water but I think my elbows where not as high as a freestyle swimmer.

[evanscoaching]

@stormott77 Keep working on the tips in the video is my recommendation. Use the hand, wrist and forearm to "catch" the water. And take your time developing the feel for this - give yourself plenty of rest between intervals and overtime you should get it. Also, I am a strong believer in backstroke and butterfly to help learn the catch as well.

[stormott77]

I have a question on how to use the stroke with surfing? You don't rotate nearly as much on a surfboard as when you swim freestyle. Do you think I should practice the form as is or alter it at all to factor in the board? Most surfers I know pull straight down or even under the board. I know this is might not be your expertise but I welcome your insight. Thank you.

[evanscoaching]

@stormott77 Actually, I think "rotation" in swimming may be a little over-thought. It's more "elongation" and "lenthening". Yes, there is rotation in the hips as we stretch forward, but there's not as much rotation in the shoulders, torso which is what you may be meaning.

[petespectrum]

Great video Coach! excellent methods and advice. I cant afford a real coach at the moment but I have learned so much from this and other Youtube videos. Thanks for posting this.

[evanscoaching]

@petespectrum Thanks Pete!

[FUNDOC45]

Thanks again!

[evanscoaching]

@ABEsWIFE123 Thanks and good luck!

[ABEsWIFE123]

Excellent info. At first I skipped these videos because you weren't in the water. But, your explanations are exactly what I needed. The catch is what i'm not doing correctly. I can't wait to practice this when I get back to the pool. Thanks

[evanscoaching]

@donniekreece The hand enters in line with the shoulder slightly wider (a V line - see other videos). After entering the hand and forearm sweep down and back (not with high intensity) to a vertical position. That's when the pull and anchor position begins. The upper arm should remain at the surface during the downsweep. Swim easy and work on this technique...it can take several months.