The thing people don't get about swim technique is that it is not enough to LOOK like a real swimmer stroke wise, you have to APPLY FORCE like a real swimmer. The proper stroke movement is part of applying force but it is not the only thing going on.
There are 3 parts to applying force in the water:
1. "feel for the water" or the innate ability to sense what is going on and how efficient you are and thus give yourself continuous feedback. That can be improved but that is really where the talent divide lies. Really good swimmers do this so naturally they don't realize they are doing it until well into their career when some coach explains to them why they are already fast in the course of trying to eek out another few tenths of second.
2. executing the proper movements and body position to maximize the force applied and maximize its efficient use. (Because of #1, for a naturally good swimmer, this just happens, or at least happens 95% without any coaching or instruction).
3. having the swim specific strength and flexibility to execute good technique at speed and over time. (Good swimmers do have a head start here too but by and large, this where the work comes in for all swimmers whatever the level).
How much of #1 you have naturally plays a huge role in how fast you improve and how fast you'll get because that feedback loop drives #2 and lets you work harder (#3) but whatever natural talent you start with, swim specific strength can be improved the more you swim. Both #'s 2 and 3 are directly improved by swimming more and swimming harder.
So, technique does matter a lot but the only way to learn technique and perfect it is to swim more ;-) Just moving your arm right does almost nothing by itself.
There are 3 parts to applying force in the water:
1. "feel for the water" or the innate ability to sense what is going on and how efficient you are and thus give yourself continuous feedback. That can be improved but that is really where the talent divide lies. Really good swimmers do this so naturally they don't realize they are doing it until well into their career when some coach explains to them why they are already fast in the course of trying to eek out another few tenths of second.
2. executing the proper movements and body position to maximize the force applied and maximize its efficient use. (Because of #1, for a naturally good swimmer, this just happens, or at least happens 95% without any coaching or instruction).
3. having the swim specific strength and flexibility to execute good technique at speed and over time. (Good swimmers do have a head start here too but by and large, this where the work comes in for all swimmers whatever the level).
How much of #1 you have naturally plays a huge role in how fast you improve and how fast you'll get because that feedback loop drives #2 and lets you work harder (#3) but whatever natural talent you start with, swim specific strength can be improved the more you swim. Both #'s 2 and 3 are directly improved by swimming more and swimming harder.
So, technique does matter a lot but the only way to learn technique and perfect it is to swim more ;-) Just moving your arm right does almost nothing by itself.