The pull-buoy is rarely used to teach the ownership of balance, but by using it to shift the balance point of the body, a swimmer can learn more about adjusting their stroke.

**Why do it:**
Using a standard tool in a new way keeps the variables of how to swim in the athletes mind.  It's a nice change to a standard drill, and is a bit fun for the swimmers.

**How to do it:**
**1)**  Using the pull-buoy at the ankels is an old drill, but one that teaches the swimmer how to stabilize the core.  Start with the buoy at the ankels.
**2)**  Quickly move the pull-buoy to between the knees.  This slight shift will change how you need to press into your stroke through the chest in order to keep the body in balance.
**3)**  Now move the buoy to the normal, thigh height position, which will again, change how your body associates with the water.
**4)**  Keep varying the position within the set.

**How to do it really well (the fine points):**
Strangely enough, the lower positions of the buoy helps to teach a fine point for breaststroke, butterfly and open turns.  I big part of a great open turn is having the legs slice toward the wall together, and keeping the buoy held during the open turn requires the legs stay tight, and close as they're drawn up.

It's always nice finding additional benefits in drills.

Sign In to watch video

Freestyle Pull Buoy Balance