In the freestyle swimming arm recovery movement, keep the wrist and arm loose but the shoulder moderately tense . Avoid having the elbows in a high position too close to the torso. When the arm swings, however, allow the elbow to point upward while the arm is taking a smooth motion over the water. Try to visualize first the elbow leading the arm and mid-recovery: the elbow moving through a rainbow like arc, creating an ideal space for it to be placed between having it too high or going too wide and flat.