@andrewksheaff: The goal of an effective pull is to optimize the amount of propulsion swimmers create to maximize the speed they create. It’s not to maximize the pull. That means smooth transitions between phases of the stroke rather abrupt ones. In particular, it’s important to pay attention to the setup of the stroke and the transition to the recovery. Effective swimmers round into the stroke and they round out of it. Watch the same principles in play here with both swimmers, one a sprinter and one a distance swimmer. While they’re visually different, both swimmers transition into the setup smoothly. They’re not trying to get the arms facing back as absolutely as far in front as possible. They’re also not trying to hold the stroke longer than they need to. By focusing on the optimizing the most important parts of the pull rather than maximizing the whole pull, swimmers can save energy, increase their stroke rate, and go faster. Follow @andrewksheaff for more on the key skills in swimming, and how to improve them.

Andrew Sheaff

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Thursday 25 June 2026 19:09:11 GMT