Right Side for Illustration
For the purpose of illustrating the lesson, we will imagine the swimmer to be on the right side. At the start of the stroke and on the count of “one” the lower arm should be pulled steadily downward toward the hip, but keeping it on the inside line of the body, and not toward the back, which will keep the swimmer on his side much like a cutter or yacht on her keel. The fingers should be kept closed, with the thumbs touching and forming a sort of spoon-shape, and used much like an oar in the pull through the water.
When the under-arm stroke is finished the hand should be turned quickly, palm upward, in order to have as little resistance as possible, and pushed rapidly forward to the point where it began. The over-arm stroke is started as the downward part of the under-arm stroke is finished, and should begin its downward course about six inches in front of the face. The upper arm should be slightly bent to work clear of the chest, with the palm and thumb pointing downward and cuplike, to get the most from the pull.