Freestyle Rotation: Rock Not Roll?

How much rotation should you have in freestyle?

With all of the professional triathletes and elite swimmers we've worked with, we've found that 'rocking' side-to-side to 35-55 degrees to be best for most people. Not 'rolling' all the way onto your side to 90 degrees.

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[Carefreeblues]

I used to swim flat on my belly, ever since learning how to rotate it’s incredible how much easier swimming has become.

[FromGamingwithLove]

Definitely noticed that I'm rolling too much based on the fact that most of the time my hand has moved way down to try and "hold" my head up out of the water. Great video... much to think about.

[SestoElomenTo]

I feel much more comfortable when this is done correctly, i also feel like my buoyancy in my hips and feet are easier to keep up, also feels like i'm propelling through the water a lot smoother thus using less energy. Great advice as usual. Thanks.

[bernym]

I know my lead arm is dropping and this vid perhaps shows why. Thanks, I will work on this.

[monicajenkins]

Great advice...I tend to roll sometimes (I can do a 360) yet occasionally lose my balance and start to "panic" if I am at the deep end of the pool and have to continue with either breaststroke or backstroke...breaststroke is my stroke of choice...as I barely weigh 100 lbs, it's easier for me to breath and stay afloat.

[jev]

Will less rocking and more straight be better for longer swim time? I've start out at a slow pace and gradually picked up speed. My main focus though is cardio and not speed. I'm pretty sure my speed will pick up the more cardio I build up.

[jobrenden]

55 strokes per minute? I'm somewhere between 32 and max 50! But I'm an old man and on top of that I've had frozen shoulder(s) on both shoulders! Apart from that I think this channel is great-very helpful and pedagogical.

[louise]

So helpful, thank you very much!! I’m beginning to understand the value and power of rotation! 45 degrees, not 90.

[iefjewoe]

Wow that's very helpful que. I'm a novice swimmer and I'm just learning the shoulder rotation. I was struggling with a dropped elbow postion on my breath strokes, I think this way of looking at it will help to improve. Stoked to give this a try tomorrow :)

[Ba_A]

Wisdom words at 0:44 and 2:27 coined by Led Zeppelin in Stairway to be a rock and not to roll" 😉

[philpad]

Novice swimmer here. I’m working on my kick as my legs spread too far apart during freestyle. I noticed swimmer at 0:20 to 0:27 crosses her legs and taps back of lower leg with each kick. Do you have any more info on this technique?

[lopella]

Thank you, this is very helpful. As a newby swimmer I often feel like an alligator rolling on my back trying to breathe. Lol

[RickMartinYouTube]

novice swimmer here ---was thinking about this the last time out ---I've notice the newer swimmers like myself in the pool don't rock as much or at the hips less turned as much as the shoulders?

[julianh]

Should the rotation be initiated from the hips or from the shoulders?

[sandybelt]

Se ve excelente el video, ahora siento mucho no saber inglés 😢la explicación a de estar genial

[ramyg]

1:56 - Isn't that swimmer kicking with more effort than needed? Will that cause any drag or provide propulsion?

[johnsmith-euqv]

Karlyn Pipes lol 😉
Shoulder extension for a reach rather than a roll onto the side.

[ktech]

I've been checking out Adam Ocean Walker's videos who says it best to rotate to the 180 degrees for best momentum(assuming long distance), given his achievements what do you think about it?

[SpiritualityLife]

If I don't roll enough, I found that I can't make a high elbow recovery. Maybe shoulder flexibility issue...

[EffortlessSwimming]

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