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  • Backstroke - Working on the Catch Published on Jul 31, 2013 by GoSwim

  • Building on last week's backstroke thumb-out, pinky-in drill,

  • here's a way to work the backstroke catch into the progression.

  • Why Do It:

  • Developing a good catch in backstroke can allow a faster turnover, and faster speeds.

  • How to Do It:

  • 1. Start by reviewing last week's drill.

  • 2. Now, do the same drill, but when you switch sides, take three strokes of backstroke.

  • 3. Next, as you turn the hand above the water, turn the hand that's under water and fall over to swim freestyle.

  • Think about how you're catching the water in freestyle, as you'll carry that forward.

  • 4. Now, take three strokes of freestyle each time you turn your hand, but return to the backstroke position.

  • Keep thinking about your catch as you fall over for freestyle.

  • 5. Finally, change to taking three strokes of backstroke instead of freestyle,

  • but imagine the hands are initiating the catch in the same way for both strokes.

  • How to Do It Really Well (the Fine Points):

  • When you're switching from the backstroke, hand-up position, to freestyle...

  • just before you roll over, aim the fingers of the underwater hand down to better catch the water.

  • When you stay on your back, as you turn the fingers from the thumb-out, to the pinky-in position,

  • also turn the fingers of the underwater hand down to better catch the water.

  • When the basics of the drill are mastered, it's all about the way the fingers are turned on the underwater hand.

  • Just like last week... this entire drill was filmed with the iPhone in the Optrix Underwater Case.

  • See the website for more details.

Backstroke - Working on the Catch Published on Jul 31, 2013 by GoSwim

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