Swim workout without equipment

I typically use a kick board, pull buoy and paddles in a normal practice. Tonight I was a little short on time because the pool closes at 9pm so I didn't pick up my bag of toys. I had a good practice which involved a 1,200 LCM warm up and some dolphin kicking on my back. Afterwards, I would usually pull with some paddles on my hands and a pull buoy on my legs to keep my body position in line. Since I had neither, I did a pull set (no kicking) on my back trying to maximize my pull with my bare hands. From what I can remember, this type of drill never went very well for me. Due to my build, I don't float at all so my legs sink in the water. In my opinion it turns the whole set counterproductive. I notice my body position suffers and I look like dragging my legs through the water diagonally. This time was much easier and I'm not sure why. I was focusing on keeping my thumbs connected to the rest of my hand (something I've been working on) which makes my hand into a larger paddle. This, combined with remembering something a fellow swimmer Paul Carter reminded me about made me use my entire arm as a paddle. I've been instructed many times in my life that the best swimmers position their arm in the water to use their bicep, forearm and hand all together to form a paddle. This method allows you to "anchor" your arm in the water and pull yourself forward with more force. This idea was in my mind during the entire set. At first I wanted to do 4x100's using this method. However, it turned out so well and I could feel it working my muscles that I decided to do another 8x100's after that. I was pulling hard enough that I was keeping my legs in a good body position and benefiting from the set. It was difficult but I will definitely do it again. It helped me focus on my arm and hand position while keeping my stroke rate up. If my stroke rate fell off, my legs would sink in the water and slow me down.

It's a very simple set, like many of my other sets I "make up". However it's revelations like these that make me feel like I'm progressing in the pool, learning more about my body as well as getting a better feel for the water. I enjoy it.