What a short finish is
A short finish is when the hand leaves the push before it passes the hip, so each stroke ends early.
It often comes with a quick, busy stroke rate, as the arm hurries out of the water to start the next recovery.
Why it costs you
The end of the push is one of the strongest parts of the stroke. Cutting it short gives that away on every arm.
Each stroke then carries you a shorter way, so you need more strokes for each length.
How to fix it
Push the water all the way back until the thumb brushes your thigh, then let the hand exit the water.
Think of a long push on every stroke, finishing past the line of your swimsuit rather than at your waist.
One drill to try
- Swim a few easy lengths, touching your thigh with the thumb at the end of every stroke.
- Keep the touch light, then let the hand leave the water relaxed.
- Count your strokes per length, which is a simple way to notice a longer stroke.
How to film it so Llyr can read it
Stand your phone on the pool deck, side-on to your lane, with your whole body in the frame. Llyr shows you how to frame the shot.
From the side, Llyr sees where the hand leaves the push against a line across your hips.
Already have a clip? You can import a video you filmed earlier. Read the full filming guide.
What you see in Llyr
When a hand leaves the push early stroke after stroke, Llyr names it Short finish and shows it on a still from your own video.
Its glyph is a tick from a dashed line out to the point that sits off it: here, your hand against a line across your hips.
The cue to take into your next set is Push past the suit line.
Llyr is a second set of eyes, not a coach. Check each correction on the replay, and if your coach sees it differently, go with your coach.