Blast from the Past

Remembering the "S Pull"

The idea of swimming with the 'S-Pull' was a development in swimming around the mid/late 70's by the Coach to Mark Spitz, Doc Counsilman - who suggested it allowed the pull duration to be increased. This was also to suggest a movement away from straight arm pulling. This "S Pull" required the swimmer to place had entry at the front of the stroke with thumb down, then sweep the hand in an outwards direction, then sweep back in before sweeping out again by the hip. Thus making an "S". Many swimmers including myself were taught this method.

The S-Pulls' suggested benefits were dispelled in the late '80s (could have been 90's), as upon analysis of the stroke it didn't seem take account of rotation of the body when swimming. Also when looking at other activities that use the hand to pull the body over, like rock climbing or even climbing out of the pool, we notice that to effectively move the body upward we need the hand to press in a linear fashion. we wouldn't get very far if, in order to get out the pool our hands slipped away as we pressed.

Also most swimmers trying to perform an S-Pull overdo the sweeping action, drawing a "2" instead causing the hips to swing, the feet to fish tale and therefore create more drag (and that's not the rocky horror show type of drag I'm talking about either)

Injury, Injury they've all got an injury

A major problem with the S-Pull is that it usually requires the swimmer to enter a thumb first entry in to the water. This more often than not will lead to shoulder injuries. This action twists the rotator cuff and as the hand is being pressed with a straight arm, all the strength of this is transfered along the arm and creates an enourmnous amount of pressure onto this twisted rotator cuff. you should avoid an S shape pull if you suffer (or don't want to suffer) from any shoulder injuries.

Instead of trying to create an S-Pull, the "I Pull" is the letter of choice - focus on the hand entering flat, finger tips first. and press directly back behind you. Concentrating on fingers facing the bottom of the pool with the arm pit open. Pull the finger tips/wrist then bend the elbow so that the wrist is underneath the elbow and the forearm is near vertical. This is the "high elbow" we all hear and talk about. If any part of swimming is the "Holy Grail" this high elbow is it. It will take practice, but then again, what else you going to be doing huh?