Swim drill

Catch-Up

Swim freestyle but wait for one hand to touch the other out front before starting the next pull. Forces a long body line and full extension on every stroke.

catchno equipment

The one cue

Touch before you pull

The lesson

  1. 1

    Wait for the touch

    Swim freestyle, but one hand has to reach the other out front before the next pull begins.

  2. 2

    Lead hand stays at the surface

    Don't let it sink while it waits. A sinking lead hand is why this drill stops working.

  3. 3

    The test

    Every stroke should start from full extension and feel long. Rushing the touch throws the whole drill away.

Watch out for

  • Rushing the touch — defeats the whole drill
  • Dropping the lead hand below the surface
  • Holding breath through the whole length

Appears in these routines

Find the CatchFeel the water, not just stroke through itRoll CleanlyRotate from the core, not the shouldersEasy BreathGet the air without breaking the stroke