This week’s Speedo Tip of the Week comes from Jack Bauerle, head coach at the University of Georgia. His program has produced such notable backstrokers as Olympians Amanda Adkins and Courtney Shealy, World Championship team member Marc Lindsey, and NCAA champion Keegan Walkley.
His suggestion? Try the double-arm backstroke drill in practice. It’s done just like regular backstroke, except swimmers use both arms simultaneously.
“This is one of our favorite drills for backstrokers,” Bauerle said. “It is one of the most well-used and one of the oldest known. It is the double arm backstroke drill.
“We believe this is the best drill for getting the correct position for the arms’ entry into the water and to get the hands down deep enough to get the proper pull. We also incorporate this drill for all of our swimmers in warm-ups and warm-down, as we believe it loosens up the shoulders for high intensity work.” |