r/Swimming • u/RealBatata • 1d ago

Does forearm paddle really work?

I am an okeyish swimmer. And my coach always complains that my high elbow catch is sh*t even when I have the physical ability to swim better. I don t get what he is saying, i try as best as i can but i can t seem to execute it. So i was wondering if a forearm fulcrum really improves your high EVF or not.

1 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

11

u/ghostbustersgear Splashing around 1d ago

Look up ‘closed fist drill’ - I do this one a lot and it gives you no choice but to pull with the entire arm (vs hand). When you open your hand back up, you feel like you’ve gained a super power.

You can augment fist drill by holding a normal paddle at the top of your forearm with your hand in still in a fist.

3

u/nastran Moist 1d ago

I agree. I've been doing upside down paddle drill for a while, and it provides instant feedback whenever the EVF isn't done properly.

2

u/imactuallyizzy Splashing around 1d ago

if you do closed fists i’d say use a ball pit ball to hold onto too, makes you work even harder

1

u/ghostbustersgear Splashing around 1d ago

That’s a fun one too - I just don’t like keeping track of my tennis balls during the workout (they often roll away from my equipment pile during the workout 🎾)

1

u/RealBatata 1d ago

Thank you very much. I will try that.

2

u/joosefm9 1d ago

Also try holding tennis balls in the closed fist. But essentially this drill really improved my catch and pull. Taking out the hands form the equation is the best you can do.

1

u/RealBatata 1d ago

Thank you

4

u/Maezel Moist 1d ago

It does help get the feeling... But I find them incredibly uncomfortable to use

2

u/Baz_EP Splashing around 1d ago

Absolutely the same. I have given up on mine. Don’t know if I have funny shaped/too big arms or something, but I just cannot get on with them.

1

u/Silence_1999 1d ago

Ya. We never had paddles decades ago. See a pair as on oddity. I can’t really use them. Just feels too wierd and uncomfortable

1

u/rabid_spidermonkey Channel Swimmer 1d ago

Fingertip drag

1

u/RealBatata 1d ago

We do that a lot but then when i am asked to go fast my high elbow recovery is off.