{"id":83172,"date":"2021-02-17T09:41:28","date_gmt":"2021-02-17T08:41:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.arenaswim.com\/?p=83172"},"modified":"2024-07-27T22:42:17","modified_gmt":"2024-07-27T20:42:17","slug":"improve-your-freestyle-arm-stroke","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.arenaswim.com\/en\/training-technique\/improve-your-freestyle-arm-stroke\/","title":{"rendered":"How to improve your freestyle arm stroke!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Improve your freestyle arm stroke to develop a more efficient stroke!<\/h1>\n

Catch, pull, push and recovery, these are the four key phases in a freestyle arm stroke.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"arena<\/p>\n

A proper freestyle swimming action will allow you to develop a more efficient stroke and increase your speed in the water.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

The correct starting position for an\u00a0<\/span>optimum arm stroke<\/span><\/b>\u00a0is with your head facing downwards, keeping your back and hips high in the water. At the beginning of the arm stroke\u00a0<\/span>the palm of your hand must face downwards<\/span><\/b>\u00a0and your wrists should be higher than your fingers.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How to improve your freestyle arm stroke<\/span><\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. Begin <\/span>the catch phase with your elbow high<\/span><\/b>, use your forearm to pull downwards. When your hand passes beneath your shoulder, your head should begin to rotate so that you can breathe properly.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Continue the <\/span>pull phase<\/span><\/b>\u00a0keeping your body in the right position and making sure\u00a0<\/span>your hand and arm are under your body<\/span><\/b>\u00a0and not alongside it. Try to catch as much water as possible with your forearm. Having completed the pull phase, the palm of your hand should be facing upwards.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. \u00a0During <\/span>the<\/span>\u00a0final push phase<\/span><\/b>, your arm pushes backwards until it comes out of the water. During<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>recovery phase<\/span><\/b>, raise your elbow and when your hand is halfway along your body rotate your head so that it is facing forwards again.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. As soon as your hand reaches your shoulder, rotate it forwards so that it is just touching the water and extend it out in front of you to complete the stroke.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    TIP<\/h3>\n

    Hand paddles\u00a0<\/span><\/b>can help you improve the position of your hand during every phase of the arm stroke, improving your control and allowing you to catch more water.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Learn more about how to use hand paddles<\/h4>\n

    Power is in your hands<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n