Forward scull with arms extended is a classic way to develop “feel” for the water with your hands.  But if you focus JUST on your hands, you’ll miss another key benefit of forward scull:  It teaches you to stay stable through your legs and core while you perform fluid, swim-like movements with your hands and arms.

Kristian makes it look easy to stay balanced and horizontal, but you may need a pull buoy as you do this exercise.  A snorkel will also help.   Establish a stable bodyline while on your stomach, with arms extended and toes pointed.  While maintaining your bodyline, start sculling with the hands.  The hands should work in unison.   Adjust the pitch of your hands to achieve smooth, steady, continuous propulsion. 

Notice how Kristian stabilizes everything except his arms…and that he does not pull back with the arms or hands.  True sculling is a back-and-forth, in-and-out movement of the hands and forearms.  Your speed depends on how well you can isolate and control the moving parts, and how well your hands and forearms connect with the water.

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Forward Scull on Your Stomach, Arms in Unison