We’ve touched briefly on this skill in a previous lesson, but let’s look deeper into Almost Position 11.

Almost position 11 can also be referred to as an exaggerated catch-up freestyle.  We’re simply building on a skill you already know, and moving the hands slightly further apart.

Think of this as Position 11 without the pause to review and rehearse.  When the recovery arm is about to enter the water, the pulling arm starts downward into the pull pattern.

The hands get very close to touching, or stopping out front, but they don’t.

Practice this for short distances at first, and if you spent enough time in the previous lesson of Position 11 Freestyle with Breathing, you should also be able to incorporate breathing into your stroke.

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Almost position 11 freestyle