Straight-Arm Stroking

What's wrong with straight-arm stroking?

On the first half of the stroke you are pushing down on the water, pushing your upper body up (not forward).
On the second half of the stroke you are pushing up towards the surface, pulling your lower body down (not forward).
You are making a large circular motion with your arms, using shoulder muscles that are small relative to your pectoral and lateral muscles, which do not get uch use during straight-arm stroking.
It takes too much energy and time to lift your arm from this deep in the water.

What can you do about it? See the Drill Index.