Welcome to the “Drill of the Week” sponsored by The Fitter and Faster Swim Tour presented by Swimoutlet.com. Swimming World will provide you with a weekly tip or drill from an elite level swimmer to make you a smarter and faster swimmer.
This week’s drill is Shark Drill for freestyle presented by two-time Olympian Chloe Sutton and demonstrated by Olympic Gold Medalist Nick Thoman. This simple freestyle drill will establish an efficient freestyle with consistent high elbows, a smooth entry, and good distance per stroke.
This drill involves creating a small pause in your stroke, about three-quarters of the way through your above water recovery. With one arm still extended in front and a solid kick behind you, pause with a high elbow and a relaxed hand. Make sure your fingers are pointing down towards the water and make sure that you keep your arms and body position as stable as possible. After a few seconds, continue the stroke from your paused arm and repeat the sequence with the next arm.
A major focus of this drill is to work on control through your above water recovery. Specifically, you want to emphasize the high elbow in your recovery and the clean entry on the front of your stroke. By slowing down your freestyle and controlling that recovery, you will be able to pinpoint any moments of inconsistency in your recovery or excess resistance when entering the water.
Take a look at the video below to hear Chloe Sutton explain the drill!
Sharks Drill by Chloe Sutton from Fitter & Faster Swim Tour on Vimeo.
Sign up for a clinic with Nick Thoman or request Nick Thoman for your next event!
Two words: shoulder impingement
Brittany Archer