How do i increase my turnover for my arms on the 50 free?

Question

i have good flip turns and can kick but my arms just dont move fast enough. my coach says i have a good long stroke for long distance, but my arms just dont turn over fast enough. help?

Answer 1

Some people confuse turnover with speed. Too many times fast turnover = thrashing. Watch a world-class sprinter during warmups and you'll be hypnotized by how slow his/her turnover is.

Your primary focus when you are training needs to be on stroke efficiency -- especially if you are a sprinter. You should be working to reduce the number of strokes you take per length.

Speed will come from power. You can then add power to each stroke by accelerating your hands as they go through the stroke (slow during catch; fast through finish). I find that catch-up drills work best for getting the right timing. You might also consider some weight training to build arm strength.

As a distance swimmer, I'm not sure what to make of your coach's "good stroke for distance" comment -- It strikes me as a backhanded compliment (like "He has a face for radio").  You might want to ask him to clarify exactly what he meant.

Answer 2

try strength training fast reps