At first glance, Sam Short’s freestyle technique might look unorthodox—almost like he's in a light canter through the water. But there’s method (and power) in this gallop. If you’re an open water swimmer or triathlete trying to get your edge in variable race conditions, understanding the biomechanics behind this Olympic-level swimmer’s technique might be the game-changer you didn’t know you needed.

Let’s dive into the mechanics of the galloping style and why it works beautifully in less-than-ideal open water environments like ocean waves and chop.

🏊 What is the “Galloping” Freestyle Style?

Sam Short’s freestyle features an uneven rhythm—one side catches up more than the other. This is why it’s dubbed “galloping.” Like a horse’s gallop, one arm does more immediate work while the other takes a short pause, creating an asymmetrical rhythm that’s timed to perfection.

This technique may go against traditional pool-swimming teachings, but in open water, it allows for smoother adaptation to the unpredictable push and pull of waves. The added buoyancy you get from surf conditions works in your favor, and this staggered rhythm can provide more time to sight and breathe without disrupting stroke rhythm.

🔬 Key Mechanics Behind the Technique

One of the most elegant parts of Sam’s stroke is his head and shoulder positioning during his catch phase. He looks directly down as he extends forward, ensuring his shoulder stays tucked near his cheek. That tight proximity does more than just look good—it prevents a dropped elbow catch, which reduces propulsion and increases drag.

The proper alignment? Fingers below the wrist, wrist below the elbow. This stacked alignment forms what’s known as the “power diamond” position—a critical point where the hand ends up squarely under the shoulder. And why does that matter? Simple:

When your hand is under your shoulder, you're no longer muscling the water with just your arms. You're tapping into compound muscle groups—your lats, chest, and back—for a much stronger, more sustainable pull. 💪

🔄 Enter the YMCA Drill: Your Blueprint for Spatial Awareness

To better ingrain the feel and mechanics of a powerful catch and pull, swimming coaches often use the YMCA drill. (Yes, it’s more effective than dancing to the Village People on deck—though that could be useful for warmup 😄).

The drill is executed like this: Kick for 5 seconds in each of these four positions:

• Start of the catch
• High elbow position
• Power diamond
• Exit point of the stroke

This drill forces swimmers to spend time in—and become comfortable with—the right positions throughout the stroke cycle. Think of it as breaking a complex movement into mindful checkpoints. Muscle memory, meet clarity.

🧠 The Subtle Genius of Asymmetric Arm Timing

One of the most unique aspects of Sam Short’s freestyle stroke is that each side has a different timing rhythm. On one side, the hand enters just as the opposite hand is finishing the pull—like a typical catch-up stroke. On the other side, the catch is initiated earlier, nearly reaching the naval before the opposite hand even enters.

This galloping rhythm not only creates a mesmerizing stroke pattern—it also offers breathing flexibility and racing advantages at high speeds. But there’s one caveat:

This style requires an effective kick. Without it, you're galloping straight into fatigue.

⚠️ Is This Style for Everyone?

The short answer: Not necessarily.

The galloping style involves subtle shifts in body balance, catch timing, and hip drive. For swimmers with a weak kick or poor body mechanics, it may do more harm than good. Like anything in performance swimming, individual context matters. Work with a coach, film yourself in action, and don’t force it if it throws off your efficiency.

🏁 Closing Thoughts: Swim Like the Ocean, Not the Pool

Triathletes and open water swimmers don’t just swim—they adapt. Galloping freestyle, like Sam Short's, is a perfect example of adapting form to meet the conditions. It reminds us that efficiency beats convention, especially when chaos is your race day companion.

If you're training for a choppy race or iron-distance course, try experimenting with this style, starting with drills like YMCA and focusing on positioning before speed. Don't hesitate to mix up your tempo to find your own gallop rhythm.

And remember, your swimming journey—like this stroke—isn't likely to be perfectly even. It’s in the rhythm of the effort, the adaptation, and the timing where mastery lies.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• 🏊 Sam Short's galloping freestyle style is great for open water due to how it handles buoyancy and waves.
• 🌊 Maintain the shoulder close to the cheek during the catch to avoid an ineffective elbow drop.
• 💪 Achieve the power diamond to engage larger muscle groups and generate a powerful pull.
• 🔄 YMCA drill helps build awareness and precision in each stroke phase.
• ⏱ Galloping means asymmetrical arm timing—mastering it can bring race-day dividends.