(Stroke) Timing is everything

Timing is really important in freestyle and determines the continuity of the stroke. Bad timing means there is a misfire in your stroke; stopping and starting the forward momentum. Of course, this is not what we want. We want to transition into each arm stroke as smoothly as possible. Watch the video to see the impact of an incorrect freestyle timing.

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[TheSomeone]

Loved this video. The only one I've found that explains the timing between the two arms. It would be nice if there was a similar video for the kicks..

[mrandmrswheels]

OMG 😮 this video is ace! It’s so easy to see from the two videos how the key points make the swimming more effective and sooo smooth. Excellent can’t wait to try that out 🏊‍♂️👌👏

[tomatomb]

I went to a front crawl/freestyle CPD and it was a complete waste of time. The so called tutor had no understanding of front crawl what so ever. She said it's continuous and arms are always in motion (opposite) but you can clearly see in any competent swimmers stroke there is a pause at the front. Without this you don't get the catch and you don't have the balence to breathe.

Yet I apply to be a tutor and can't get past the second stage simply because I don't have as much paperwork.

Apparently a bit of paper is more important than what you actually know. I don't get this world sometimes.

[franciscomolinaloza]

there is nothing wrong with the second swimmer's way of swimming, it is the technique of the straight arm, widely used in 50 freestyle, the best sprinters in the world use it

[robohippy]

I think I have only seen one swim channel that makes the distinction between arm strokes depending on if you are swimming short sprint like the 50m, medium distances from 100 to maybe 500m, and long distance like 1500 to open water triathlon/iron man I would consider this to be more middle distance stroke.

[pedrogomes]

They forget to mention that with the correct timing you will FEEL like your arms are opposite from eachother, like Popov used to swim.

[speedo]

let;s all be sure we are considering the goals of most recreational swimmers and beginning efficient and comfortable . elite racers occupy a very small% of all swimmers.

[speedo]

bottom line for me and my clients is thr "catch up drill"

[mousababboud]

do you use endless pool in your train

[robohippy]

Umm, the first style shown is for sprinting, and not good for going beyond about 50 yards/meters max. The second style shown is for distance....

[personal-coach]

You are promoting a negative index of coordination (front hand waits for the other one to cross shoulder line before starting to pull) instead of the current scientific recommendations (see Rod Havriluk) of using a positive index of coordination (front hand starts pulling at the same time as the other one is finishing to push so there is no gliding time without pulling or pushing at all).
Positive index of coordination is the recommendation regardless of the swimming distance.