- One hand aligned on top of the other, with fingers pointing the direction of travel.The little finger and thumb of the top hand wrapped around the lower hand (to allow leverage and to prevent separation).
- The fingertips stretching and reaching as far forward as possible.
- The arms extended, pointing the direction of travel, with the biceps behind the ears.
- The surface from the back of the swimmer's hands, along the arms, then down the shoulders and back should be one (relatively) smooth surface with no "head bump" sticking up on that side.
- The head bump is on the chest side.
- The swimmer's arms are actively squeezing in behind the head, as if they are trying to make their elbows touch.
- The swimmer's core is tight and straight - every muscle pulling in towards the center, trying to make the swimmer longer and thinner.
- The swimmer's legs are adducted (that is, squeezed in and together) with their toes are pointed.
- I want to see the swimmer become a strong, long torpedo, rocket, or pencil shape off the wall (and on a start).
We practice streamlines off starts and turns regularly. We include a few push offs that are purposely not streamlined to remind the swimmers how much easier it is when they do perform a great streamline. You can practice and use streamlining techniques every swim workout to help make yourself a better swimmer.
Swim On!
