Using one arm only

[aquascum]

Had an injury, can only use one arm for the time being (as in can't properly move the injured arm/shoulder). Can someone rec drills that I can still do?

[Richardsk]

There are one-arm drills for all the strokes and of course there are also no-arm drills, also known as legs only. I have heard of people who swam legs only for several months after shoulder injuries and when they recovered enough to go back to whole stroke they actually found they were faster. Unfortunately I can't remember where I read this, so you will have to accept it as hearsay.

So for now, how about one-arm freestyle, one-arm backstroke, one-arm fly and one-arm breaststroke in addition to legs only on belly, sides and back? That should give your body a good workout.

[aquascum]

Sounds good! Can you give me links/descriptions of those drills? Or their name (as named in 'Total Immersion: The Revolutionary Way To Swim Better, Faster, and Easier')? i did order the new DVD, but it's not arrived yet... what are the drills called on that?

[Richardsk]

I don't think the more recent TI DVDs list the one-arm drills, some of which were on the earlier four-strokes DVD, but one can find videos of them on youtube from various sources, - some better than others.

For example, here's a one=arm fly video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kE6Y...eature=related

One-arm fly can also be done with the non stroking arm held against the side, as of course can one-arm freestyle and backstroke.

Here's another with some input from Total Immersion:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmVfXk18AWY:


Basically if you can do with both arms you can do it with one arm or no arms. Freestyle with no arms is not easy but worth trying.

PS Here's a video of a progression from no arm freestyle to normal freestyle:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYbvj...eature=related

[solothesailor]

I've just devoted one swim session to explore what I call real-life swim-style options, partly because of a shoulder soreness and also because of my deep interest in being able to still swim, sometimes for survival, even if part of the the body cannot participate.

This got me to experiment with:
1) Side stroke flutter kick, including using one arm only. Have no idea what I'm doing really -just experimenting.
2) Backstroke, one arm full swing, half swing, or legs only. This is also a really great exercise for balance and kicking. (I used to move backwards but now scoot along well once I worked out how to 'relax down (foot bent) and kick up (toes pointed).'
3) front-crawl/freestyle one arm
4) Skate and roll to breathe.

Hope that helps.

[Ken B]

Richard, I tried the f/s progression with pool fins, good fun,thanks.

Ken

[bx]

aquascum,

A drill I found useful when I had rotator cuff injury was Core Balance (or Fish Drill). It's a no-arms drill.

I don't think it's emphasised as much now, but it's on the Easy Freestyle DVD.

Palms on thighs. Flutter kick. Balance. Rotate to air, breathe and back again.

It gives my core strength a good boost. Fine-tunes balance. And forces you to relax otherwise you won't float to air! Great drill, and difficult enough to occupy your time in the pool for hours...

[borate]

Originally Posted by bx

aquascum,

A drill I found useful when I had rotator cuff injury was Core Balance (or Fish Drill). It's a no-arms drill. Palms on thighs. Flutter kick. Balance. Rotate to air, breathe and back again.

See a master perform it here at 1:30.

[borate]

Originally Posted by bx

A drill I found useful when I had rotator cuff injury was Core Balance (or Fish Drill). It's a no-arms drill. Palms on thighs. Flutter kick. Balance.
Rotate to air, breathe and back again.

See a master perform it here at 1:30.

[Richardsk]

Wouldn't it be great to have a kick like that? Is it possible to come anywhere close without starting as a tiny kid and going through years of serious kicking drills?