Go Swim Straight-Arm Freestyle with Scott Tucker

Posted by Glenn Mills on Nov 10, 2008 09:00AM (11,302 views)

Scott Tucker’s freestyle like you’ve never seen it before!

In Go Swim Straight-Arm Freestyle, Olympic gold and silver medalist Scott Tucker shares his key focus points for developing this increasingly popular freestyle technique. Scott’s six focus points work for every level of swimmer -- novice to elite -- and you can start to apply them immediately, next time you go to the pool. The extraordinary swimming footage of Scott, combined with clear, step-by-step instruction, will help you explore straight-arm freestyle to see if it’s right for you...or help you fine-tune the stroke if you already use it.

• Discover Scott’s 6 key focus points for straight-arm freestyle.
• Learn WHY each point is important, and HOW each one will help you go faster.
• Each focus point is illustrated from multiple angles -- side, head-on, below, and rear -- and from above and below the surface.
• Slow-motion and freeze-frame footage allows you to zoom in on key moves and really SEE how to do them.
• Scott’s simple focal points will help you improve, even without drills.
• Bonus section includes Scott’s starts and flip turn...plus his favorite drills for buckets, paddles, and kicking.

SCOTT TUCKER is a 4-time USA National Champion (100 freestyle), 9-time World Championship medalist, and 2-time Olympic medalist (1996 Olympic gold medalist in the 400 freestyle relay and 2000 Olympic silver medalist in the 400 freestyle relay). He is known for his signature freestyle stroke (straight-arm recovery) and for his kicking and breathing technique.

GO SWIM STRAIGHT-ARM FREESTYLE WITH SCOTT TUCKER was written, filmed, and produced by the team of GLENN MILLS, a member of the 1980 USA Olympic swim team, and BARBARA HUMMEL, veteran of two Olympic Trials and currently a coach World Top-Ten Masters swimmer. Running Time: Approximately 36 minutes

freestyle, Scott Tucker, DVD

Responses

swim3	Responded Nov 11, 2008 11:04PM What are the advantages of straight arm freestyle?
sprinter	Responded Nov 12, 2008 07:04AM Awesome stroke! His swim style reminds me hardly on the drill where you swim with straight arm slow mo recovery... but Scott's kick is by far much nicer than everything I've seen in our pool here. I love watching Scott swimming. Perhaps you can publish a drill of the week, demonstrated by scott, glenn? :)
fiZZLe	Responded Nov 14, 2008 04:30AM His kick is definitely one of the best technically. Go check out KING's upper group, alot of the swimmers have similarly great kicking technique. Ariana Kukors comes to mind..
Tomás	Responded Nov 15, 2008 03:43AM HOLY COW!!!!! just in from a minibreak and I find this beauty!!! Some time ago, straight arm recovery got me into real trouble so I better get to see the DVD. For the moment,,,that is not SAR or at least what I had in mind as SAR. Tucker clearly bends his arm and he extends his arm underwater almost like he did when he swam with a high elbow recovery (picturesque swimming!!), This looks more like Boomer's "circles into lines" stuff. What strikes me the most is that his point of entry is almost at mid-distance between his head and complete extension of his arms (especially of his left arm)...but we'll see,
Tomás	Responded Nov 15, 2008 03:44AM Sorry Sprinter...can't help it not to mention your beautiful towel on your head!!!
Evie	Responded Nov 17, 2008 06:17PM I just found this site. It is wonderful!! I am just learning how to swim correctly ,and could never tell if I am doing anything right! With your video's, I can see how it should look. I swim everyday and I can hardly wait to get back to the pool tomorrow to try some of the techniques I learned today. Awsome!!
sprinter	Responded Dec 02, 2008 08:19AM Hi Glenn, how big would be the DVD in MBs?! What would happen if the internet connection get interrupted?! Does the download continue from where it has stopped or do I have to download the whole file again?! The reason I am asking is because we here in RSA have mostly limited MBs per month and the connection is one of the worst in the world.
adrian	Responded Dec 02, 2008 06:21PM Hey there mr.Glenn thanx for makin this dvd its awesome to see how an olympic gold medalist shows his technique and i can watch it in my room here in sweden, everthing on the dvd was very interesting, to me I never knew that you can hide your breath , now i am practicin that just like mr.scott tucker does, its hard though. thanx again for makin this dvd. God bless Adrian from SWEDEN
Glenn Mills	Responded Dec 02, 2008 06:26PM Thanks Adrian. We appreciate the thanks. Sprinter, the DVD is about 1.3 gigs, and I don't really know exactly what to tell you about the ability to split the download over a couple days... that's a problem I hadn't heard of. Do you know what your daily download limit is?
sprinter	Responded Dec 03, 2008 08:28AM Hi Glenn, I do not have a daily limit, only a monthly one. 1.3GB is fine. But it often happens that the connection fails and comes back a bit later for some reasons.
Glenn Mills	Responded Dec 03, 2008 11:13AM I'm pretty sure most browsers will allow you to "resume" a download if something has stalled or paused mid-stream. We'll have to do some testing on it to make sure.
sprinter	Responded Dec 03, 2008 02:32PM Glenn, thanks a lot! :) :) :)
adrian	Responded Dec 03, 2008 06:11PM Hi Mr.Glenn, I am wonderin something when Mr.Scotts does straight arm above the water I can see it how he does it, but when his arm is under water I am wonderin if Mr.Scotts is pullin an S -form , I can see it what he does under water with his arms but I am not sure if he is doing an S-form...? and his fantastic kick drill that he teaches how to practice on it, I am wonderin if he does that to on his backstroke, or can I use it as a kick drill in my backstroke. God bless & have a beautiful day Adrian/Sweden
Glenn Mills	Responded Dec 03, 2008 09:39PM Hey Adrian, I wouldn't try to imagine someone like Scott pulling in an S-Pattern. His arm does come in with a great catch, and the focus is probably more along the lines of maintaining that direct catch, more than it is about sweeping out, then in, then out again... there's just not enough time to get all that done, or at least not enough time to focus on it.
adrian	Responded Dec 06, 2008 12:38PM Do you know more olympic champions that do straigh-arm freestyle .
Tomás	Responded Dec 06, 2008 03:41PM The first swimming video tape that I ever saw is "Freestyle Technique" that features Rada Owen, Matt Busbee, Rowdy Gaines, Brock Newman and Scott Tucker...all under the guidance of coach David Marsh. Since then (around 2002) and surely previously as well, Scott Tucker has been an awesome skillful swimmer. His fluency, relaxation, extension, his almost unperceptible breath, his consistent and compact kick and his impressive body rotation are almost proverbial to say the least. Even back then he practiced as a drill, straight arm recovery, that in his coach words "allowed him to develop a high catch". Now that I have seen his DVD swimming straight arm freestyle I have to say that almost nothing has changed...I went back and saw the "old" tape when he used a high elbow recovery and the only real difference that I can bring up is that back then he kept his elbows (especially his left one) higher on the underwater pull...on this DVD his elbows are somewhat lower. In my opinion Scott Tucker is such a talented, artful and skillful swimmer that he even makes straight arm freestyle look beautiful. Finally and in all fairness I have to say that Scott Tucker won his olympic medals and at least 2 national championships using the high elbow recovery not the the straight one. Adrian..yes I know 2 great olympic champions that use the straight arm recovery...they are Michael Klim and Inge de Bruijn.
Glenn Mills	Responded Dec 06, 2008 03:42PM Check out the sprinters from this past summer's Olympics. You'll see some significant impacts of this technique. Australian, French (a couple), but they're out there.
Glenn Mills	Responded Dec 07, 2008 12:43AM Tomas... you're not correct in your statement about Scott's high-elbow, straight arm documentation. Here's a statement directly from Scott. "David Marsh changed my stroke to the straight arm in the beginning of 2000. Before we made the change I was 49.6 then dropped to 48.9 at Trials that year. " I'd say it was a successful adaptation.
adrian	Responded Dec 07, 2008 11:40AM Thanks for names Mr.Tomás , I think Mr.Scott is teachin his recent technique in this dvd , in the dvd they are talkin how Mr.Scotts still practices his kicks . He is such a master .
adrian	Responded Dec 07, 2008 06:36PM Have anyone seen backstroke dvd's and which one is something i can learn to be elite in backstroke :) thanks
Tomás	Responded Dec 07, 2008 06:39PM Well Glenn..that I don't know. What I know is that on the "Freestyle Technique" tape he swims with the high elbow and the date of that tape is around 2002. Lets nor argue...the 1996 olympic medal was with the high elbow and the 2000 olympic medal with the straight arm recovery OK? In watching this DVD again and again in all fairness I want to point out other differences that I can see. 1. His head position is different...instead of looking straight down, now he looks a little bit forward. 2. Now he swims more under the water, back then he swam more on top of the water. 3. He has always had a GREAT balance but I'd agree that in this DVD he looks more at ease and more balanced. 4. He still carries the Auburn signature: hand acceleration!!!! THIS IS SOMETHING I REALLY LIKE ABOUT THIS DVD: When showing the front view of Tucker's extension, one can clearly see how narrow is his shoulder width or the surface he presents to the water and on top of that how he hides his legs...providing very little reisistance to the water. I just came in form the pool from practicing this "signature" and I think is going to work well for me. Great DVD Glenn...and an amazing swimmer.
Barbara Hummel	Responded Dec 07, 2008 06:57PM I agree. Scott's an amazing swimmer. There are certain images that I take to the pool with me for practice: Brendan Hansen's body position and fingers on the breaststroke touch, Dave Denniston's arrowlike body position on the pushoff, Staciana Stitt's torso undulation on breast and fly, Jeff Rouse's head on backstroke. But there are two images from Scott's video that I take: his breath and his steady kick. Those two sections on this video are truly classic footage of a master.
Glenn Mills	Responded Dec 07, 2008 09:28PM Tomas, I wasn't arguing... just stating that your previous statement was incorrect.
adrian	Responded Dec 08, 2008 09:07PM I am practicin every day and I am really going forward much more then I used to go with bend arms, I am wondering why is Mr.Scott not closin his hand when he is doing under water catch, I mean his fingers tight together like a paddle ?
BillySwims	Responded Dec 15, 2008 10:46PM Just finished my first watch through... truly awesome job gang. Scott's breathing - just how does he do that?! That section is just unbelievable - I gotta question your video editing! (No I haven't it's just incredible, I can't believe he's breathing)
Glenn Mills	Responded Dec 16, 2008 12:49AM Trust me... that's why I actually have him say... "I'M BREATHING". Just tough to believe sometime, but he's always like that.
BillySwims	Responded Dec 16, 2008 05:14PM Yes I trust you:) I just don't get it :( Tried today - you know the bit about concentrate on one thing, well I really tried but that one thing drastically changed from "hiding my breath" to not drowning/swallowing 8 lanes of pool water...! It was that bit in your/his sample trailer that swung it for me, now I've "just" got to watch and learn...
Glenn Mills	Responded Dec 16, 2008 05:20PM Start with looking underwater with one eye when you breathe... then work to looking underwater with BOTH eyes while breathing. I can only do it to my left, and to the right... I end up getting a nice drink. Keep going though.
Tomás	Responded Dec 16, 2008 05:42PM I think that while an extremely low breath as Scott Tucker has is good to have, it won't make THAT much of a difference when compared lets say to a "one goggle underwater" breath...that after all remains a quite low breath.
adrian	Responded Dec 16, 2008 07:42PM Iam practicin and I can not do it but I am becomin better on breathin technique :) can you add "flip turns instructional videos" on the video section Mr.Glenn .
adrian	Responded Dec 16, 2008 07:57PM I found the flip turns on the video section :)
adrian	Responded Dec 16, 2008 11:13PM hey Mr.Glenn how can I learn that master kick Mr.Scott does, I am practicin 6 kick drill but what do I need to practice more I think Mr.Scott have great ankle flexibility when he is doing that master kick
Tomás	Responded Dec 17, 2008 02:37PM Hi Glenn.... I have been watching Tucker's DVD over and over and I have 2 questions: 1. As I said, his balance is as perfect as I have ever seen. Do you think that in recovering the arm straight which puts all the weight of his arm around the chest area helps him "to press into the water" and get a more balanced position in the water.....In the bent arm recovery the weight of the arm does not have this effect. 2. I really don't understand the "Never let the catch go" focus point...because he clearly lets the catch go at least when swimming slowly, he glides in between strokes...so I am not sure if I am understanding the point. 3. Am I overanalyzing again? Thanks
Glenn Mills	Responded Dec 17, 2008 02:40PM 1) His arm moves so rapidly over the top, there is no time for the body to get out of balance... and it doesn't impact someone with good balance anyway unless you STOP it above your head. 2) refer to your point 3. :)
johnd	Responded Jan 27, 2009 11:56AM Glenn...it watching the video, practicing and reading the comments here, I have developed a few questions/comments rather. 1) When Scott is doing his recover, are his fingers pointed straight up in the air for a brief moment? It appears that for a brief moment, the fingers lead the arm on the exit. At first, I thought it was the elbow even leading but on some shots, it looks as though his fingers lead the recovery. 2) You described the motion as "throw it up and over" Does the movement look or feel like the arm in making a circle from exit to entry? There are a few shots that look like scott is truly making a circle and then some where it appears that the arm is swining up and away from the body. My guess is that the arm starts to go up toward the roof/sky but as the body rotates it makes the arm appear to swing wide. 3) Did Scott ever say how long it took him to get use to this motion? Sometimes it feels comfortable...even natural...then it goes back to feeling awakard. Thanks for your time. John
Glenn Mills	Responded Jan 27, 2009 12:54PM Hey John. 1 and 2) Do arm swings on deck, feel the blood rushing to your fingertips... I think this is what Scott feels a bit in the recovery. It's that aggressive. 3) Didn't specifically say how long it did take him to gain it. However, remember that not everyone will be meant to swim in this fashion. Longer, leaner, swimmers may have a harder time.
johnd	Responded Jan 27, 2009 01:34PM Glenn- Thanks! How tall is Scott?
Glenn Mills	Responded Jan 27, 2009 01:40PM I think he's about 6'... probably just a bit taller than me.
johnd	Responded Jan 27, 2009 02:27PM Ok. I am right around 6 ft as well. About 175 pds., so maybe this is something worth continuing the experiment, even if I do alter it a bit for my body. Don't know til we try. Thanks a lot Glenn!
adrian	Responded Jan 27, 2009 09:02PM Mr.Scott is 6'2 , Iam allso practisin the scotts technique and straight arm freestyle works much better for me then bend arm , however Iam intertsted to learn that powerfull kick he does in the begginin of the section "consistent kick" I can't see how is he kickin, Iam tring to make big kicks but it does't work, and high fast kick it does't work, is there any way Mr.Glenn can make a drill or instructional clip pay per download to learn that awesome kick. Thanks for this great dvd it really helped me to learn more about swimming .And thanks to Mr.Scott for sharing his technique .
johnd	Responded Jan 30, 2009 05:58PM Speaking of straight/straigther arm guys...what do you think of Fred Bousquet? I was watching a video of him. When he isn't going full speed, he has more of an open recovery that gets straighter as as he hits top speed. It's a bit of a loping stroke but at slower speeds, kinda nice.
adrian	Responded Jan 31, 2009 01:18AM I forgot to ask something when Mr.Scott is racing and his feet comes above water how can I do that...I am searchin on the webb site but I can not find any drill video how to have feet above water when you race in freestyle , I can do fast kicks but my feet never comes above water??
johnd	Responded Feb 13, 2009 09:59PM Just read that Libby Trickett has changed her stroke to more of a straight arm recovery and that she is happy with the progress so far. Be interesting to see how she does, if she keeps the changes.
adrian	Responded Feb 25, 2009 12:32AM what time did Mr.Scott had when he swimmed 100m freestyle ? have anyone figured out about his kick, why you did not filmed under water when he does that powerfull kick ? Iam really lookin forward to learn this kick :) any help folks
Glenn Mills	Responded Feb 25, 2009 01:27PM There's an entire section of the video dedicated to the "Consistent Kick".
adrian	Responded Feb 25, 2009 05:12PM Yes Mr.Glenn but on the begginin of the section consistent kick when Scott turns his powerfull kick and massive clear water comes up very high, how he does that ?That kick I want to learn
adrian	Responded Jul 13, 2009 09:54PM Hey mr.Glenn the demo video above when time is 0:01:24 is that how it looks underwater when scott is doing that big powerfull kick and massive water is coming up ?
adrian	Responded Aug 27, 2009 11:36PM I just watched again the dvd, and i have a question about head position, when scott is swimming you are saying in the video his head is rocksteady, i rewinded when you are talking about his arms, and his arms are realaxed , why is not the head realexed as the arms?
Glenn Mills	Responded Oct 06, 2009 08:40PM Adrian. The head isn't relaxed because it's leading the way. If he relaxes it, it would impact his rotation, his direction, his stability.
adrian	Responded Oct 08, 2009 11:08PM hmm well to me is two diffrent things : when you race i can understand when scott is swimming agressively he is tense he has more carbondioxide in the blood and carbondioxide is heavier then oxygen and his head is rocksteady. but when scott is swimming relaxed the profusion of the blood and the muscles are better and his head can be relaxed and when you are relaxed you can float better :)
Peter Wright	Responded May 21, 2010 12:14PM I would love to be able to download this DVD (After purchase) but although I see reference to download in these comments, I can see now way of doing this. Can ayybody (Glen) help ? Thanks
Glenn Mills	Responded May 21, 2010 12:23PM Sorry... it's not available anymore, but watch the site over the next few days. We really wanted to allow rentals for our European friends, but YouTube hasn't opened that up yet, but I have another idea... watch the site, and get involved in the upcoming survey. Thanks.
steve	Responded Dec 03, 2011 03:27AM His mouth is still below the surface for breath! I will be using the SAR in a few days for the 50SCM. If I improve it will be for me