Skills & drills
Mid Scull
Sculling increases the feel for water during the pull-through. It requires a lot of practice, but it is a key drill to let you feel the water while swimming. For the mid scull you move your forearms in and out while keeping your elbows in line with your shoulders.
How to do it
- Start on your stomach, facing down
- Your upper arms and elbows are in line with your shoulders, forming the letter T
- Move your forearms by bending your elbows, pushing water in AND out with your palms
- Move in a steady pace to create propulsion and go forward slowly
- Lift up your head to breath if you are not using a snorkel
Focus points
- Keep your upper arms still while moving your forearms ONLY from your elbows in a 90-degree angle
- Keep your elbows in front of your shoulders, just below the surface and point your fingertips straight towards the bottom of the pool
- Maintain a straight body position in the water, relaxing the shoulders
- Don’t move too slow, keep a steady pace in order to create propulsion
- Use a pullbuoy or your kick to keep your feet up
Coach tip
When practicing sculling, remember that it is never about speed. It’s all about feeling the water and creating propulsion. Alternate sculling with swimming freestyle pull. After doing this drill more often, you should be able to feel the water better and have a better propulsion in your freestyle pull.
