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Secret Tip – How to position your hands underwater

Filed under: Videos | August 29th, 2011

A lot of times we take things for granted such as what to do with my hands underwater? A lot of beginners are taught they should cup the hand with closed fingers or too ‘scoop ice cream’ but that is not the most efficient way. Learn the most efficient way to hold your hands underwater as Gary Hall Sr demonstrates how a small change in the position of the hand will drastically effect results.

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  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jordan-Witmer/16907630 Jordan Witmer

    I feel like such an idiot that I’ve never thought of testing the “openess” of my hand while sculling.  So simple!

  • http://twitter.com/aquadonis Nico Messer

    What a great and quick tip! Part of getting the right hand position, as of fast swimming, is to stay relaxed.

  • Greatneckhomes

    effect is the wrong word it is AFFECT

    LOL

    • Chris

      We are becoming an illiterate nation.

  • Greatneckhomes

    ANYWAY—GREAT TIP…  also if you want to test this in AIR feel the wind against your hand while driving—stick your hand outside window—but make sure another car does not think you are turning…

  • Tom

    One of the things I noticed about Gary Sr.’s hands in some of his videos, like the 3 types of freestyle technique, is that his thumbs are spread out from the rest of his hand.  I don’t know if that is on purpose or a less than ideal habit (that we all have).  I assume that the physics are the same, and that the thumb should be close (but not tight) to the rest of the hand.  Opinions?

    • http://twitter.com/aquadonis Nico Messer

      Tom, you are most certainly pointing out something that is a less than ideal habit for many swimmers. The position for the thumb you mention would of course be ideal. But in this case I don’t think it makes that big of a difference…then again 0.01 could win a race. Most swimmers probably have bigger problems to worry about than their thumb…swimming is a sport of details and this thumb position is one but there are things that are more significant.

  • http://www.freestylesc.org.uk Johnstone Macpherson-Stewart

    There is some confusion here though Dr Hall may well be correct in recommending the hand position he does. In explaining the comparative flows with respect to the hand in each of three positions, the assumption is clearly made that the overall direction of flow is perpendicular to the palm, and that consequently with fully spread fingers that flow goes between them with a resultant loss of purchase. The underwater illustration of his thesis then shows a swimmer sculling using the different hand positions, during which the overall directions of flow are far closer to being across the palm than to being perpendicular to it. The bottom line is that we simply do not know the exact nature of the flow around the hand not the least because it is constantly changing. Therefore given the complexity of the flow patterns involved, the sense that we should try to feel  what gives us the best contact with the water may indeed be the best way forward despite the confusion.

  • Joe Herzog

    I read about this some years ago. I believe a similar study was done by Stanford University, if my memory serves me. I’ve been using the “slightly spread” hand for years, as a serious recreational swimmer and I find my stroke is noticeably improved.

  • Julie Neal

    This is what I have been teaching for years thanks to Allan Kopel who has written an article on this very subject.  He told me to discover the ideal hand position/curvature place your hands on your thighs; then, with your fingers slightly apart and with your thumbs out. This hand position will maximize your hold on the water. Thank you Dr. Hall for reminding us that hand position is an important detail in setting up all strokes! I wonder sometimes if coaches overlook this detail.  I had a nationally ranked Sr. swimmer join my group for a few days while on break and I noticed his hands were scooped shaped. I remarked on his hands and suggested trying  the tip I just mentioned.