#443 : If You Want Your Swimming To 'Click', Do This with Brenton Ford

Shoulder pain after swimming? Your technique could be the reason.

In this episode, we look at three common freestyle mistakes that can place unnecessary stress on the shoulder: an overly high elbow, crossing over the centre line, and overdoing the catch. Through clear demonstrations and underwater footage, you'll learn how to make your stroke more natural, efficient, and shoulder-friendly.

A great episode for swimmers looking to improve their freestyle technique while reducing unnecessary strain.

00:00 – Why Your Shoulder Hurts After Swimming
00:20 – The main freestyle technique flaws that can cause shoulder problems
01:20 – Flaw #1: Elbow too high
02:25 – Shoulder position and rotation
03:00 – Flaw #2: Crossing over the centre line
03:20 – Underwater look at the freestyle stroke
04:00 – Flaw #3: Overdoing the catch
04:55 – What happens when you overdo the catch
05:30 – Finding a more natural catch position
07:00 – Underwater examples and final technique reminders

In this episode, Brenton Ford interviews Jan Prins about freestyle biomechanics, stroke mechanics, and the latest technology used to analyze swimming efficiency. They explore how subtle changes in technique can significantly impact speed and performance.

00:10 Introduction to Jan Prins and his expertise in swimming biomechanics
01:31 Overview of the technology used for stroke analysis
04:40 Analyzing hip velocity and stroke subtlety
07:18 Why strength doesn't always equal speed in swimming
09:15 The importance of sustained velocity over peak power
12:26 Gradual acceleration and maintaining pressure in strokes
16:43 Finding new water and propulsive thrust
22:41 Engaging new water and hand positioning
26:36 The concept of finding new water through hand movement
28:23 Avoiding straight-line pulling and maximizing efficiency
34:39 Breathing techniques and timing in freestyle
42:25 Hip rotation and core stability in swimming