Swim Tip

The Swimming Triangle: Technical Conditioning

Unskilled swimmers have considerably more air bubbles around the hands and forearms during the entry phase of freestyle, caused by rushing the stroke or failing to set up the catch prior to pulling. When swimmers rush, it’s as if they’re saying, “I don’t have time to set up the catch, I’m trying to swim fast.” But in reality they can’t swim fast unless they set up the catch. Swimmers who possess a high amount of air bubbles pull far less water due to a dropped elbow at the catch point. Ideally, the arm should extend fully before transitioning into a high elbow catch. Unskilled swimmers also confuse limb speed with real speed. They mistakenly believe that if they move their limbs fast they’ll go fast. Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth.

Learn more from Coach Baker at one of his Peak Performance Swim Camps, located at various locations across the United States and abroad. And learn more about The Swimming Traingle, Coach Baker's New Book, and order your copy here.