Sculling is any movement of the water made by the hands. Some sculling positions move the water in the shape of an S, while others create a figure-eight. Water can also be moved side to side or up and down, depending on which direction the swimmer wishes to travel.
In many ways, sculling is the basis of all swimming strokes and this is why we teach sculling actions right from the start. Even our little Baby Starfish children learn sculling!
There are many sculling drills you may have seen around the pool and each is targeting a specific stroke or position in a stroke. Some are feet first, others head first, some are done with a swimmer face up or face down.
Learning to scull is important as it allows swimmers to:
- Feel and maintain pressure on the water
- Improve the catch phase or propulsion through the water across all strokes
- Aids many survival skills, such as treading water and survival strokes
When swimmers are learning to scull, it is important that they consider their hand position, direction their hands are moving and body position. Speedy thought he would help us with some tips to get everyone started.
Hand position
Keep your fingers closed. Keeping the fingers closed will assist swimmers to effectively catch the water, setting the underwater arm action up for success. The action the hands do in freestyle is called a sculling action and as the hand pulls through the water, the body moves forward past each hand. Closing the fingers, decreases resistance and increases forward movement, resulting in a stronger more efficient swimmer.
Direction of movement
Your hands are your paddles. Think of your body as a row boat and your hands are your oars. If you want to move your boat sideways, which way would you direct your paddles? An easy way to start thinking about direction of movement is to always have the back of your hands pointing in the direction you would like to go. The back of the hand will face the direction in which you are swimming. Have a think about what way your hands are facing next time you go for a swim.
Body Position
Body position is key to sculling. A swimmers’ body must be in a position that minimizes resistance and allows them to move as smoothly and efficiently through the water as possible. Achieving a good position involves keeping your body close to the surface of the water and having your eyes in a neutral position (directly down or up depending on which sculling position you are working on).
If you have any further questions about learning to scull, speak to one of our friendly teachers or team leaders.
