In most cases sprinters get deep to go fast. They do so because...
Andrew Sheaff@AndrewKSheaff
43 views
Dec 22, 2025
1
In most cases sprinters get deep to go fast.
They do so because they have to create as much propulsion as possible in as little time as possible.
They create a lot of propulsion by using a big surface area to move a lot of water backward over a large range of motion.
They do so because they have to create as much propulsion as possible in as little time as possible.
They create a lot of propulsion by using a big surface area to move a lot of water backward over a large range of motion.
2
By getting the arm deep, the whole arm is facing backward throughout the last 2/3rds of the stroke.
You can see how long he keeps everything facing backward.
This is the key. All the speed is in the back half of the stroke.
You can see how long he keeps everything facing backward.
This is the key. All the speed is in the back half of the stroke.
3
These are also strong positions, so he can move the arm fast, which means he’ll create a lot of propulsion in a short amount of time.
4
And by entering at full extension and dropping the arms deep, swimmers can get into these effective positions much faster than if they patiently entered and set up the stroke.
More propulsion in less time means more speed.
More propulsion in less time means more speed.