Topic: Off the Wall (1 of 5), Read 103 times
Conf: Freestyle
From: Derek Radcliffe
Date: Saturday, February 09, 2008 10:09 AM

I have noticed that my first stroke off the wall is always a little uncoordinated. I can actually feel it slowing me down. I just started noticing it as I started swimming a little faster. Can anyone advise me on how to make the transition from flip turn to first stroke more fluent?

From: David Blitstein
Date: Saturday, February 09, 2008 10:39 PM

After you push off, shape yourself like a torpedo. Not too deep, just a little below the surface. Look down, head aligned with your spine squeezed between biceps, hand-over-hand and legs straight. Time the first stroke while you still feel momentum but before you start to lose speed.

From: Rhoda Potter
Date: Sunday, February 10, 2008 12:40 PM

I have this problem when I try to stroke too soon. Could it be you are still quite a bit underwater when you stroke?

From: Terry Laughlin
Date: Monday, February 11, 2008 07:04 PM

I greatly improved the effectiveness of my first stroke following pushoff by the following:

1) Solidly plant my feet ensuring a solid pushoff creating good momentum into the new lap. A “silent” turn – no splash as my feet hit the wall – helps me do that consistently.

2) Mindful streamlining and timing my kick to the beginning of that first stroke. The synchronization of kick and stroke helps channel a bit more of the speed gained from pushoff into that initial stroke, allowing me to feel good traction with that first pull.

3)Initiating that first stroke by tipping my hand down and sweeping it slightly outside my shoulder. This allows me to get purchase with the forearm as well as my palm.

4) In the last few years I’ve also learned how to take the first stroke with my right hand. I feel the learning curve of mastering it with my "unnatural" hand has helped both. Now I try to stroke first with the right hand on odd lengths and with the left hand on even lengths (which also matches my breathing side).

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