[schnodo]

Ich hatte vor einiger Zeit eine Frage zur "un-rotation" Bewegung in Sheila Taorminas Swim Speed Secrets gehabt:

However, there's one concept that I do not properly understand: On page 50, the "un-rotation" of the upper arm is described. When I specifically un-rotate my upper arm from the catch position, I get into a position, where I'm leading with the elbow, similar to Figure 5.14. The only way I can manage to get into the proper diagonal position is to hinge my arm around the shoulder joint.

Heute hat mir die Meisterin persönlich geantwortet.

...
You ask a great question. The concept of transitioning from the catch to the diagonal is, in one way quite simple, yet in another way it is complex due to all of the ways someone can over-do or under-do the motion and be slightly "off." On top of that, choosing the specific words to describe the action is something I've spent hours considering. I ultimately chose the word "un-rotate," but Ernie Maglischo chooses "adduct," and Cecil Colwin chooses "oscillate." You chose words I think are appropriate when you wrote, "The only way I can manage to get into the proper diagonal position is to hinge my arm around the shoulder joint." That is correct! At clinics I show athletes how the upper arm changes its articulation in the shoulder joint to transition from the catch to the diagonal.

So, you're on the right path. When you mention that if you think of the "un-rotation" action you end up leading with the elbow similar to Fig. 5.14, that is something that can happen very easily -- and of course it is something we don't want to happen. The degree of rotating the arm for the catch is slight, and so the degree of un-rotating for the diagonal is slight as well. It is so slight that it is difficult to feel. Don't expect to feel a massive change. The slight nature of the movement is what makes it so difficult to describe. From your email I can tell you are dialing in the details properly. Kudos to you! Let me know if you have any other questions, and let me know how it goes as you work on the mechanics.

Best,
Sheila