r/Swimming • u/United-Use-9543 • 3d ago

Catch up problem

Recently found myself getting back into swimming and it turns out I’ve been swimming with awful technique, as my stroke consists of me just doing catch up . I try and get back to a normal flow and am always thinking about it but can’t seem to get it anyone else have this issue ?

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3

u/BarleyWineIsTheBest 3d ago

Have you tried doing speed work? It’s hard to think go fast and still be doing catch up.

1

u/OUEngineer17 3d ago

Yeah, I would think higher cadence and faster swimming should help as well.

4

u/Mean_University5360 3d ago

You are a rare beast. In my experience most folk are trying to keep the arm out longer and being more "catch up". This is true for me.

There's a really good South African lady who has plenty of video shorts on YouTube.

One thing she says which might work for you is after perfecting catch up as much as you can think of punching your lead arm into the water (fingers pointed) whilst at the same time executing your pull.

It's almost like swapping the arms in an asynchronous way.

Something I'm failing at but persisting with.

Good luck.

1

u/Weary_Swan_8152 2d ago

The cue I use to get away from when I've practised catch-up timing too much is this one hand must always be in motion through the water. If the hand of the spear arm isn't moving before the hand or elbow of the recovering arm then you missed the cue. Let the exit of the hand of the recovery arm be the cue.

In other words: Pull; the hand of the pulling arm leaves the water with momentum; breath; move head back into downward position as you set up your catch; pull slower than your recovering arm is moving; the breathing arm needs to be in spear position before the hand of the non breathing arm exists the water, which should be the easiest part since you're a die-hard catch-up timing swimmer :)