THE 'OVER-ARM' SIDE-STROKE The old-fashioned over-arm swimmer lay on the water, with his shoulder-blades at right angles to the surface, and the upper arm when pulling through the water was almost entirely immersed, while in the recovery its upper and heaviest part was above the surface. Careful observance of this fact showed that it was advisable, in order to attain extra speed, to swing the arm forward through the air, as the resistance is less, and the difference as regards the general buoyancy of the body very small.
There are at present two recognised styles of over-arm swimming. The first is that represented by such famous exponents as Horace Davenport, for many years amateur champion of England, and James Finney, the celebrated pro, fessional. The new school includes E. T. Jones and J. Hag gerty among the older division, whilst J. Nuttall, J. A. Jarvis, W. Evans, S. Greasley, J. H. Tyers, and R. A. Crawshaiv are worthy followers of their renowned predecessors. The names of all-these men figure in the records of the sport, and it is remarkable that most of them come from the inland towns of Lancashire. Their systems of swimming have revolutionised the speed rates, and for a number of years the North of England has in this respect been able to hold its own against all corners.
In the old style of over-arm, the leg-kick is practically a mere modification of the breast-stroke kick. The body is turned over a good deal on to the chest, and at every stroke moves forward with a spurt. The best style is undoubtedly that of the new school. In this, the swimmer lies completely on the side, and the leg-stroke when viewed -from above looks almost like the action of a runner in full stride. The upper or over-arm, the lower arm, and the leg-strokes merge one into the other, and the body thereby moves forward at a perfectly uniform rate. There is a regular swing with this stroke, and when properly acquired it is far more useful and less fatiguing than the breast-stroke.
The best exponents of the new style are Nuttall, Jarvis, Standring, and Tyers, and beginners should take every oppor possible of seeing any of these in the water, for students will learn far more by watching one of these experts swim twenty yards than by reading any written description of this 'most difficult stroke.
It is a matter of choice on which side the body is turned, but the majority of swimmers turn on their right side, the reason advanced being that the action of the heart is thereby unimpeded, and the organs of digestion free from pres sure. For the purposes of clear description it will be best to imagine that a swimmer is in the water lying on the right side. At the start, the lower arm should be pulled downwards to wards the hips, in a plane perpendicular to the surface as in fig. 7, the fingers being kept closed and the hand flat, so as to present a large surface to the water. When this stroke is finished, the hand should be turned quickly, palm upwards, so that together with the lower part of the arm it cuts the water sideways, the arm being almost bent double. Then, as it is shrx forward, the hand is gradually turned from palm upwards to palm downwards, until, when it arrives at its position in front of the head, and almost above the surface, it is ready for the next stroke. The recovery and the 'pull,' ought to be effected as quickly as possible. In the former the water practically only offers resistance to the upper part of the arm ; but during :he downward stroke the whole arm and hand have to be dragged through it, The upper or left-arm stroke is started when the downward stroke of the under or right arm is finished. It begins about half a foot in front of the face (fig. 8). The arm is slightly bent to work clear of the chest, the palm and thumb pointing downwards. The pull in most cases is taken with the arm bent a little as it enters the water, but in others, equally good, the hand is brought towards the chest, and then, with the arm bent at right angles, swept back close to the body, the arm gradually straightening as it leaves the water. This stroke should not be made too long, either at the beginning or at the finish, as the effect of the power applied is greatest when the hand is opposite the shoulder. At the end of the pull, that is, when the hand is opposite the waist, it should be brought smartly out of the water, and carried quickly forward through the air to recommence its stroke.