'sculling' motion in crawl stroke

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2008-08-21 8:15 AM

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Subject: 'sculling' motion in crawl stroke

This post pointing to this site with an animation of swimming (very cool) prompts me to ask a question that I've been pondering lately about swimming, but I didn't want to hijack that post.

In some of the things I've read, the author says that you should do a slight 'forward sculling' motion around midway through the stroke.  In the animation (upper right view), the swimmer's left hand does it around frames 3-4 and the right hand around frames 12-13.

BUT, I heard (maybe on some olympic commentary? I can't recall where now) that many of the top olympic swimmers don't do this anymore, as a result of some fancy analysis (possibly referring to this research).

I'd love to hear what good swimmers have to say about this (i.e., the value, or not, of the 'sculling' motion).

2008-08-21 8:16 AM
in reply to: #1618184

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Science Nerd
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Subject: RE: 'sculling' motion in crawl stroke

It depends on the swimmer whether it's going to make you faster or not.

I've tried both ways and I think it helps me out a bit.  I don't always remember in a race though. 

2008-08-21 8:27 AM
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Subject: RE: 'sculling' motion in crawl stroke
I saw a lot of the Olympic swimmers have that kind of motion in their pull. It used to be a standard part of the stroke as I was taught in the '70's but now the more staright pull seems to be more popular. I still have a little wiggle in there.
2008-08-21 10:25 AM
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Subject: RE: 'sculling' motion in crawl stroke
Maglischo's books 'Swimming Faster' and 'Swimming Even Faster' demonstrated this technique. The purpose was so your hand would always be pressing 'clean' (unturbulent) water. You would basically make an 'S' shape with your hand during the pull. If not done correctly, your hand slips too much in the water, reducing the power of the pull.



2008-08-21 10:25 AM
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Subject: RE: 'sculling' motion in crawl stroke

It means very little compared to a bent-elbow, straight-back pull.  No more straight arms kayaking.  The pull starts at the farthest forward extension of the reach and goes back towards the feet (like climbig a ladder).  All energy being directed BACK for propulsion, nothing wasted going down to keep the swimmer up.  Whether you scull or not is up to the individual swimmer.  It may help, it may not.  It may feel good, it may not.  Everyone throws individuality into their swimming style.

 

2008-08-21 11:17 AM
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Modesto, California
Subject: RE: 'sculling' motion in crawl stroke

As evident by the recent olympics, technology and underwater video are playing a huge role in refining technique to increase velocity, reduce drag,perfect body position. I did not see any standard approach during the olympics. For me, once I catch the water I may change angles of my hand randomly to keep pressure on the water as I move it back.



2008-08-21 1:21 PM
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Subject: RE: 'sculling' motion in crawl stroke
Thanks for these comments, folks.  I'm still very much a novice, but trying eagerly to learn...
2008-08-21 10:35 PM
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Subject: RE: 'sculling' motion in crawl stroke

I find that the "S" motion is actually the view of the hand seen from the perspective of a swimmer who is pulling in a "straight line" to an outside observer (at the bottom of the pool), while the swimmer rotates their torso, shoulders, and hips. 

Whether a pull is "straight" or "bent" depends on the position of the observer relative to the motion. 

I tell my swimmers to pull (with elbows at 90 degrees and elbow tip to elbow tip at 180 degrees when seen from above) along the center of balance as it moves with their body rotation. That generally feels like a straight line to the swimmer, but can look like an "S" shape with the top slightly cut off to an observer on the deck. 

I can't see the video posted, but that's how I've seen Phelps swim in person at practices, and that's how I've witnessed most (but not all of) my fastest swimmers, and that's how I swim when I go my fastest as well. That doesn't work for absolutely everyone, but that does work for most everyone that I see in the water. 

2008-08-25 7:35 PM
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Subject: RE: 'sculling' motion in crawl stroke
xrodolfox - 2008-08-21 8:35 PM

I find that the "S" motion is actually the view of the hand seen from the perspective of a swimmer who is pulling in a "straight line" to an outside observer (at the bottom of the pool), while the swimmer rotates their torso, shoulders, and hips. 

Whether a pull is "straight" or "bent" depends on the position of the observer relative to the motion. 

I tell my swimmers to pull (with elbows at 90 degrees and elbow tip to elbow tip at 180 degrees when seen from above) along the center of balance as it moves with their body rotation. That generally feels like a straight line to the swimmer, but can look like an "S" shape with the top slightly cut off to an observer on the deck. 

I can't see the video posted, but that's how I've seen Phelps swim in person at practices, and that's how I've witnessed most (but not all of) my fastest swimmers, and that's how I swim when I go my fastest as well. That doesn't work for absolutely everyone, but that does work for most everyone that I see in the water. 

 X2

 

2008-08-25 7:41 PM
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Subject: RE: 'sculling' motion in crawl stroke
I clearly remember the swim practice when this was introduced to me. I was about 9 maybe 10 year olds. So it is how I swim. I can't speak for its efficiency but it is how I have always done it. What I didn't see and what I don't always see that was impressed up me was to keep your fingers closed and to slightly "cup" your hands. Catch the water and throw it away.
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