Hand Paddles and Gloves and a Swimmer's Early Vertical Forearm Catch

Hand paddles, hand gloves, and any equipment that increases the area of the hand hinders the acquisition of an effective Early Vertical Forearm (EVF). When swimmers push down on water and hold more of it on their hand, it makes them feel powerful but it discourages an EVF. The difference between EVF equipment and hand paddles is so significant, swimmers and coaches may become skeptical. Swimmers want to feel powerful and EVF equipment inherently doesn’t provide that powerful sensation. EVF equipment establishes the fulcrum at the elbow while hand paddles establish the fulcrum near or at the shoulder. The question to use effective EVF equipment or ineffective hand paddles will be answered by coaches and swimmers willing to exchange perceived effectiveness with actual effectiveness. Of course, that previous question is mute if coaches and swimmers aren’t willing to devote more time and attention to developing an EVF.

EVF Training Tools

There are only three training aides on the market that are true EVF trainers: the fist glove, the forearm fin, and the Techpaddles. It’s important to note that none of these products are hand-paddles and are in a league of there own when it comes to developing a proper EVF.

The fist glove forces the hand into a closed position and reduces the area of the hand. When the hand is removed from the propulsive equation, a swimmer must rely on an early vertical catch to propel them. You could get the same results by simply closing your hand but swimmers have a tendency to open it and the glove forces them into a closed position.

Another EVF device on the market is a forearm fin. Two fins, looking like bat-wings, attach over the forearm. The hand can be open or closed but the important thing is the added area outside the forearm. Increasing the area of the forearm helps swimmers concentrate on putting it into the EVF position. The newest product on the market is an EVF trainer called the techpaddle. This is a forearm paddle that is gripped, decreasing the area of the hand and the bent, leading edge of the paddle, applies a downward force that encourages an early vertical forearm position. The pressure put on the forearm helps establish muscle memory so the skill can be repeated.

If coaches and swimmers are willing to commit to using EVF equipment, they must also commit to their proper use. All EVF equipment must be used with slow and deliberate motions. The constant reminders by coaches to make sure swimmers move into an Early Vertical Forearm position cannot be emphasized enough. Swimmers are like everyone, they want immediate gratification and EVF equipment doesn’t always give them that. EVF equipment reduces the area of the hand and by doing so reduces the pressure swimmers look for at the start of each stroke. Six to eight weeks of correct training with EVF equipment will produce gains that could never be found with hand paddles.

1. The Catch, High Elbow Position, and Feel for the Water
2. Develop a Swimmer's Shoulder Strength Before a Swimming Injury Occurs
3. What Tools Can Develop a Swimmer's Early Vertical Forearm Position?
4. How Important is a Swimmer's Early Vertical Forearm?
5. These Swimming Drills Can Help All Swimmers Get Faster

About the Author: Thomas Topolski is a swim coach in Grand Rapids, Michigan and is the inventor of the Techpaddles early vertical forearm trainer. He can be reached through the Techpaddle website.

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