Swim techniques of the past

Jonathan Cowie looks back on how swim technique has changed over years, and why it doesn’t pay to be nostalgic

You might not think it, but swimming techniques are constantly evolving as new theories, rules and technologies come into play. Think of how Adam Peaty swims breaststroke compared to us mere mortals – it is like a completely different stroke!

Technology has also changed the way we swim, be it the now-banned super suits or the simple effect wearing goggles and silicone hats has on our ability to swim more comfortably.

Likewise, changes in rules in elite swimming (for example dolphin kicks underwater or how to turn at the ends of lengths) trickle down to change how we swim in the pool. How we teach swimming has also changed. Gone are the days when you would be thrown in at the deep end in the hope that you would swim not sink!

But what about swim technique? If you were taught to swim in the 1970s or 80s your technique might not only be discredited but also risk injury.

Perils of thumb-first entry

If you are in your 40s or older, you may have been taught that your hand should enter thumb-first when swimming front crawl. This is a technique we see with lots of swimmers still (and something I too have been guilty of).

If you are entering thumb-first you are not only in the wrong position to achieve an effective catch, you also risk putting undue pressure on your shoulder. Instead, aim for a finger-first entry leading with your middle finger. Think of yourself posting a letter, piercing the water with your finger tips.

Thumb-first entry was taught as it puts the hand and forearm into the correct position for an S-pull, which was considered the most effective way to swim front crawl in the 1970s. The hand enters thumb-first, then sweeps out to the side before moving back towards the body and then back out in an S shape.

It is now considered more efficient to move the water backwards in a straight line, using the hand and forearm as your paddle. Keep your elbows high to ensure you are moving water backwards rather than downwards.

Wide to narrow

Breaststroke technique has changed too. I was taught to swim with a wide kick and wide arm pull. Nowadays we should swim with a narrow whip-like kick and ensure that our arms don’t pull too wide – imagine scooping out a bowl in front of your chest.

Technique isn’t the only thing to have changed over the years. We no longer get to dive for rubber bricks in our pyjamas or get ASA badges to sew on our swimming costumes. And my dad doesn’t buy me a Mars bar from the vending machine after swimming training!

Read more of our swim training articles.