This is freestyle swim drill #10 in my book-Simple Swims:practices for balanced, stable swimming.
Practice your balance and stability with this drill as you work on a wide recovery arm. Lead with the elbow, keeping it pointed toward the ceiling. Align the recovery arm elbow with the elbow of the extended/swordfish arm. Maintain your balance, feel stable before shifting the weight. Use the forward arm to help shift the weight as you send it into the water-use gravity.