How much elbow swing is too much

[Forksref]

Originally posted by blindzebra
It's okay to hold the ball palms together elbows out. The player with the ball in that position may pivot, but if their elbows are moving faster than their hips, they are swing the elbows.

I hope that helps.

Blindzebra has it right. As far as teaching the skill, I'd teach it this way: Don't swing the elbows, but keep them out with the ball close to your torso and PIVOT. Work on front pivot and reverse pivot to keep the ball away from the D. Pivoting is a lost art.