UNCUP THE HAND

Today’s student, a 48-year old, fit female athlete, shared a great insight.  After explaining to her why it’s unnecessary to cup your hand as you stroke, she said to me, “Even though I don’t know how to swim, I hold onto concepts of what I think swimming is.”   Many of us learned to continuously grip our hands into a cup.  Don’t, it’s a waste of energy.  Let your hand go limp.  Instead put your energy into the elbow (hooked by a fisherman)  to initiate the recovery and then shift your energy to your wrist to bring your arm forward.  Your hand will follow.