How to "Catch Moonbeams"

Tips from the TI DISCUSSION FORUM

“Your catch depends on you being well balanced. If your body position
isn’t stable, you will be waving hands and arms around trying to compensate, and you'll find it harder to recognize the subtle sensations associated with the catch.”

In an earlier post on the Discussion Forum, TI Coach Bob Wiskera described an effective catch or anchor of the hand at the beginning of the stroke as like “catching moonbeams.” Read on to discover why this description is so apt.

Topic: Patient Catch (1 of 5), Read 126 times
Conf: Freestyle
From: Andrew Bell
Date: Tuesday, April 04, 2006 06:26 PM

I have just read Terry's article "SOFT HANDS" on the Catch in the March issue of Total Swim. Can someone help me understand "and whatever time it takes to feel the water return a bit of pressure to your relaxed hand and forearm before you stroke."

Where should I feel this pressure?

From: Gene Prescott
Date: Tuesday, April 04, 2006 07:48 PM

I experience it most when swimming with a closed fist, with the index finger extended. When I'm pulling too forcefully (not patient enough with the catch) I can feel my finger zipping through the water. When I try to eliminate that zipping sensation I find I'm leaving my catch arm extended so there is hardly any pull at all. That is, I'm moving past the catch more than pulling.

From: Angus MacGowan
Date: Thursday, April 06, 2006 03:51 AM

Andrew,
The idea is that you take a moment (and a moment is really all it is - it's like stopping but not stopping) to feel that pressure on your hand and forearm just at the instant you are about to put pressure on your stroke.

This is way easier said than done. I know what it is that I'm looking for, but I don't always get it. However, if you seek this sensation, you will probably start to stroke with a good catch because of how you will move as you search for the sensation.

Other tips:

1. Fistgloves (or the single-finger exercise Gene suggested) are excellent tools for developing this feel. I've only just started working with them, but I'm a big fan. I reckon they cure just about everything. I even cook better with them on.
   
2. Do not pull at the water to try and create a sense of pressure against the forearm and hand. Rather, think that you are anchoring your "paddle" (hand and forearm) in a spot and then bringing your body past it.

As I've said above, it's not easy to crack this nut. The feelings you are searching for are very subtle, and you may find you swim for quite a while before you suddenly click to a feeling in the pool that is recognizable from what others have described in words.

Finally, I am starting to realize that anything to do with your catch depends on you being well balanced. If your body position isn’t balanced and stable, you will be waving hands and arms around trying to compensate, and you'll find it harder to recognize the subtle sensations associated with the catch.
A good practice for this would be as follows:

1. Practice Fish and Skating for 10 minutes (this will get you balanced and stable).
2. Practice Multi-Underswitch with Fistgloves for 10 minutes, focusing on the above comments.
3. Practice Multi-Underswitch without Fistgloves for 10 minutes, using the “big hand” sensation to heighten your sense of water pressure.
4. Then practice whole stroke and try to get the slow catch vibe.
   In fact, this is going to be my practice this weekend. Hope it goes well.

From: Andrew Bell
Date: Thursday, April 06, 2006 07:20 AM

Gene, Angus,
Thank you both, I especially appreciate your very thorough descriptions Angus. Already I can sense a huge step forward in my understanding.

I did the drills as suggested, then focused on the catch. It is very elusive and appears to have a lot to do with timing. When I tip my fingers down and hold the hand out just a little longer I do feel the pressure. It seems that if the pull from that position is synchronized correctly with the roll and spearing of the other hand there is noticeable acceleration. I now know why we call it a “Patient Catch.” Just a split second delay makes a huge difference.

I also learned something else, for which I will start a new thread: 'Eyes closed swimming'.

Thanks again
Andrew

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