Boost Your Freestyle Power
The turtle sculling drill can help
Published on April 07th, 2026
Turtle sculling drill works the final push of the freestyle pull to help swimmers learn to push straight backward while using their triceps.
To perform this drill, put on a snorkel and fins. You’ll be kicking lightly with your face in the water, and the snorkel allows you to breathe without having to lift or turn your head.
Keep your elbows tight to your sides. Bend your right elbow while keeping it at your side and bring your right hand up toward the right shoulder with the palm facing toward the bottom of the pool. It’s OK if your elbow breaks the surface of the water but keep your hand underwater the whole time.
Then, push the hand back like you’re finishing a freestyle stroke.
Perform the movement on the other side and alternate sides, as you would in freestyle, down the length of the pool.
Turtle drill is great coupled with full freestyle swimming; do 4 x 25 of turtle sculling followed by 4 x 25 of freestyle swim, descending.
Work on feeling the strength in your final push while you're swimming your full freestyle stroke to engage the power of this drill and boost the power of your freestyle.
Training with a USMS club and working with a coach can help you continue to improve your technique.
