General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Swim stroke - Recovery vs Catch vs Pull Rss Feed  
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2015-03-01 5:22 PM

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Subject: Swim stroke - Recovery vs Catch vs Pull
Preface: I don't have a swimming background, just looking to improve, so forgive the ignorance.

1) Is it fair to say that the pull has the most influence one's speed?

2) What should ideal catch look like? Any good drills for this?

3) Is there a general guideline on what should lead what - the recovery arm dictating when the pull will start vs vice versa?


2015-03-01 8:44 PM
in reply to: Jpro19


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Subject: RE: Swim stroke - Recovery vs Catch vs Pull
1) Is it fair to say that the pull has the most influence one's speed?

It's one of the main factors, but probably as of equal importance is body position. Poor body position = lots of drag and doesn't matter how good your catch is, you're probably not going to go particularly quick.

2) What should ideal catch look like? Any good drills for this?

High vertical elbow - google it or youtube it and you'll get some good explanations and drills.
2015-03-01 9:56 PM
in reply to: Jpro19

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Subject: RE: Swim stroke - Recovery vs Catch vs Pull
1. No

2. Watch any number of videos of top swimmers (non triathletes)

3. When you start a 25 you start with a catch and pull. Why would you stick your arm out of the water on a dive or a push off and start with a recovery.

A. Head/Body position is the foundation.
B. Most swim advice given by fellow triathletes is crap.
C.You must unlearn your bad habbits.
D.Train like an 8 year old club swimmer would for the next few months.
2015-03-01 10:13 PM
in reply to: simpsonbo

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Subject: RE: Swim stroke - Recovery vs Catch vs Pull

Originally posted by simpsonbo 1. No 2. Watch any number of videos of top swimmers (non triathletes) 3. When you start a 25 you start with a catch and pull. Why would you stick your arm out of the water on a dive or a push off and start with a recovery. A. Head/Body position is the foundation. B. Most swim advice given by fellow triathletes is crap. C.You must unlearn your bad habbits. D.Train like an 8 year old club swimmer would for the next few months.

D - that's funny...silly swimmer, we're Triathletes.

 

2015-03-02 6:59 AM
in reply to: Jpro19

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Subject: RE: Swim stroke - Recovery vs Catch vs Pull
This guy's videos have helped tremendously with my catch. His style is a little stiff, but he is really good at breaking things down and explaining the stroke. Between following his recommendations and doing kick drills, my steady state swim has improved about 15%. I still have quite a bit of work to do, but hopefully this year I can make it through the season without having to do my "last out of the water" victory pose (rather than let a bad swim get to me, I have fun with it. People cheer and that energizes me for the bike).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEQTxN854uk
2015-03-02 10:58 AM
in reply to: Jpro19


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Subject: RE: Swim stroke - Recovery vs Catch vs Pull

I'd say body position/drag is a real limiter until you're around 1:50-2:00/100yds for distance. Beginners lose gobs of time, like 10+sec/100 due to things like sinking legs, over-rotation on the breath, fishtailing, etc.

 

After that, your pull is the dominant way to drop speed since at that point, most of the major speed-killing body errors will be corrected. Doesn't mean you'll have remotely a perfect body position (not even close, actually), but the odds you'll pick up 10+sec/100 from a body position change will be minimal after those speeds, whereas a 30+sec/100 gain is very realistic from improving the power and form of the pull. 

 

In reality you will improve both together though.



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