High Shoulder...Not High Elbow? | Freestyle Catch

How can changing the position of your shoulder make you go from hero to zero with your freestyle catch? Let's find out

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[bretzky]

Dunno why anyone would leave keys in a pair of boots but the shoulder high makes sense.

[Matt-cpwh]

dude youve helped me learn swimming so much. appreciate your work!!

[petercaswell]

Brenton - super video. I go further:
- Lead with my shoulder in the recovery; elbow automatically leads the lower arm and you don’t have to think about it; shoulder is in the best streamline position as you turn into the stretch; reduced shoulder damage
- Trail with my shoulder in the pull; keeps streamline as long as possible; best EVF; uses most powerful muscles in the early stroke (Lats Etc.). Everything falls into place for the stroke for me. It’s a simple mental image - Lead, Trail.
I use the same “Lead, Trail” mental image for all strokes. And it helps all of them.

[Jenesis]

I found that, if I was conscious about propelling from shoulder, my upper body rotation got better. It felt more natural to rotate trunk while rolling shoulder back to forward. When I was about just lifting elbow, the motion didn’t feel as smooth and the speed was a bit slower.

[holliesclubhouse]

Swim with your hands FISTED as a tool to get your body to use your arms and shoulders more efficiently. I find that I can still go very fast this way and it feels as though my lats are like wings.

[SBoots]

Very good information. Yesterday I concentrated on keeping the elbow high. I thought about the elbow to hand straight down and pushing to the back wall. When a person does hit that sweet spot the feeling is as good as a good golf swing. My swimming has improved from your videos. January is when I will try the flip turn. Looking forward to the first coughing up water. LOL. But I will do it.

[zhenyucai]

I've watched so many YouTube videos and attended a number of different local swim classes, but none of them mentioned about keeping up the shoulder high until I watched a Chinese YouTube channel last year, and later on discovered another Chinese YouTube channel too for such detail. Looks like propping the shoulder is one of the standard steps in their classes. It is fascinating to observe how coaches explain the motion and how the audience responds to the communication.

[unassailable]

You nailed it, high elbow is very stressful an unnatural for the body . I don't like sidekicking at all, I will rotate my torso 90 degrees to reduce drag but I have mastered keeping my feet straight for extra propulsion and maintaining direction, which is very good for open water swimming.

[SterlingScreencasts]

Thanks for providing consistently amazing training content. This video in particular was extremely helpful to me.

[debramccormack]

This training tip helped me crack the code on my inconsistency in the catch phase, Thank you!

[TMD]

Thanks, great, makes sense- high shoulder -> high elbow.

Happy holidays

[scotttummins]

I've shared this for years, keeping the shoulder near the cheek as an indicator of proper extension.

[jeffjones]

I think maybe I need to find a daily stretch routine for my shoulders, because it feels like when I get my shoulder up to the 'high' position there's a bit of pain in the movement of the catch. It's possible I'm just doing the wrong movement as I've never filmed myself. I'm an ES member but live in Perth, so no clinics. Moving to Adelaide soon though, which is just around the corner from you by my standards.

[douglaslaramore]

I find that if I do a catch up stroke I don't roll as much and it is easier to "maintain balance" and reach forward with the shoulder. after warming up I move into a 3/4 catch up (my stroke) and I still maintain better balance and I am able to reach forward with my shoulder.. If I roll too much and my balance is compromised I can drop my shoulder to deep to get a proper catch like you describe especially when breathing. Your video shows a perfectly balanced swimmer.

[Matt-cpwh]

this is quality editing and info. love this hahaha

[annettehennessy]

Hi from Ireland I have just came across your videos and have just subscribed...I am at the early stages of learning the freestyle ...watching your videos has given me a lot to think about and I love how you break down each of the techniques and make them easy to understand...my real issue is the breathing so trying out your beginners techniques...can I ask is it better to breath on the second stroke or 3 strokes and breath on the 4th stroke ...

[RatchedCypher]

straight into my notes for my next swim

[cosmicpalm]

Very sensible and important information.

[peterhaslund]

Oh, hi! You caught me lookin' at myself in the mirror!

[Diderot]

I justvtried this high shoulder in the pool. I feel better and more efficient already. It probably help with my breathing too. Will confirm this at the next swim.