Backstroke–deep finish

 

Check out Aaron Peirsol’s deep finish (below his hip) as his opposite hand reaches for a deep catch.  Look closely at his right shoulder…it’s not “scrunched" against his neck.  We’ve been talking about a deeper finish in practice.  Maybe seeing a world record holder will help.

Things to remember:

• finish below your hip
• you will need to finish a little wider
• you will have to have fast hand speed in the air to allow for a deep catch at the top
• if you are turning your head from side-to-side every time you stroke, you won’t be able to do this (ok – maybe you’ll be able to do it, but I don’t want to have to watch it so STOP it!)

Look closely at his bald spot.  I mean look closely at his FOOT.  Notice at the “bottom” of his kick, his ankle is relaxed as his toes start to point.  The top of his foot is ready to “push” the water toward the end of the pool and then up.  If you concentrate on kicking the water to the end of the pool and through your toes toward the surface, this will help eliminate “bicycle” kicking and “knee pumping.”