Swim with paddles

I used to use them often, but started to feel extra stress on the shoulders.  I noticed that with paddels,  you get a stonger pull, but since there is more resistance, my turnover was slower.  Almost resulting in equal times between using them or not.

Now I just use them in drills when my plans tell me too.

you might also be using the wrong size paddles...if your turnover rate is not the same as your stroke without paddles drop down one if not two paddle sizes...I use the paddles for 12+ years, beginning masters and they are still a little large for what I need...

I have the yellow ones and should have got the green ones...

http://www.swimoutlet.com/product_p/1238.htm 

x2

Close fist drill works well for that too.

I just found other drills that help with technique far better that paddles, IMO.  Paddles are good for strength building when used sparingly.

Drills only for me.

Too easy to become a crutch, too easy to damage things if not used right, false sense of speed.

Yes.  My coach only has me do that for half a length and then open the hands for the other half.  The gist is that you are supposed to swim exactly as you would with open hands which really makes you focus on how your arm goes through the water.

I'm not a big fan of the drill as my form goes to crap when I do it (even though I included one set in my drills yesterday) and I cannot see the real benefit even when I take my time to do it.

 I think the better way is to envision your hand and arm as a single unit after you initiate your pull. During the entry the hand has a specific job to do, but once you enter the catch phase the arm and hand work together until your hand gets below your waist.

one thing on that closed fist drill (which completely sucks by the way...the drill that is...) it really teaches you to use your whole arm instead of just your hand...your forearm area is quite a bit larger than your hand and by doing the "fist drill"you teach yourself proper pull by using the whole arm fromthe elbow down...cause if you don't you will sink like a freakin' rock...I thought the lifeguard was going to have to come get me when I did them and they definately are not needed everytime you get in the pool...but once a month or so to keep you humble...

just remember swim as if your hands were open...

What Jorge said.

When I swim a lot and want to break up longer sets I use paddles for a couple of sets of 200 max. For example, I'll do:

1000 free
200 with paddles
100 recovery
200 with paddles
1000 free

I don't take breaks in between sets only as long as it takes to slip on the paddles.

Use them with long strokes, not fast intervals, so that your form is perfect while you use them. (I don't know how good they are for learning good form.)

I don't use paddles when I'm not in good swim shape and my shoulders get kinda scrawny weak... (I only swim a bit for recovery right now because I'm focusing on running and can't fit more swimming into my schedule.)

 not criticizing, just expanding

2.  If you prop yourself up with your hand while breathing, fist drills and paddles will show this rather quickly.  With fist drills, you will start sucking a lot of water, as you lose the support you used to have.  With paddles, the extra force you are using to push down just becomes really noticeable and you feel it more.  That contrast is why I like to do fist drills back to back with paddle drills. 

3.  Finis makes a set called forearm fulcrums and they are fantastic.  They hold you hand in the proper plane relative to your forearm.  It's still possible to drop your elbow, but when you do, your hand rotates relative to your forearm, making the paddles slip out of place. These are great in conjunction with fist drills as well.