Backstroke greatest propulsion occurs...

[vol]

When I do backstroke, I feel the greatest propulsion occurs when the recovery hand is just about to enter the water and the other hand is making the final "throw". It seems quite reasonable, because this is when the entire body (including both arms and legs) is horizontal, the most streamlined position. Sometimes I feel as if my body is jumping forward at that point.
Am I right? Is it supposed to be so?

[terry]

Originally Posted by vol

When I do backstroke, I feel the greatest propulsion occurs when the recovery hand is just about to enter the water and the other hand is making the final "throw".

Vol, you've correctly identified the moment of greatest propulsion. It does occur when the recovery hand is about to enter. That's because it synchronizes -- indeed helps trigger -- the most powerful movement in the stroke: the weight shift.

To gain the greatest benefit from that moment of power the stroking arm should be at its position of greatest leverage -- at a right angle to the torso with the hand and forearm facing the feet. In other words, prepared to "throw."

It's the same principle as in freestyle.

[vol]

Terry, thank you very much for your reply. Thank you for pointing out the importance of the weight shift. I didn't think about it much, but after reading your reply, I have come to realize how true it is!