SH wrote:
I saw the videos too. Caveat emptor: I am not a professional stroke expert. =)
I agree with everything sweet_wtr has told you -- especially about that scissor kick you've got going there. Does using a pull buoy help that?
Your stroke needs to catch more water. I agree you need to stay out wider, but I would look up "early vertical forearm (EVF)" on google. There are videos and explanations. I think you are ready.
Your fly... It seems to me that you still lack a lot of swimming flexibility. On your butterfly it looks like you have to come up very high in the water just to get your arms around because you lack flexibility in your shoulders. That is exhausting. You need to find some good exercises to stretch your shoulders, lats, and pecs. I have some I do, but I'm not sure they are still worth recommending (time marches on). I will probably look around the internet today for some, now that I think about it.
I'm not sure what your getting at with the pull buoy helping with the scissor kick. I don't kick at all with
a pull buoy, so I guess it helps with not doing scissor kicks. I generally swim a bit faster with a buoy
and paddles, but I don't think that is that unusual. I certainly feel more balanced with a buoy (or a
wetsuit for that matter).
I've certainly heard about EVF and for what its worth think I'm trying to do it a bit, but I wonder if that is
also related to the flexibility issue. Your point about flexibility is spot on. I don't have great upper body
flexibility. That thing that some people can do where they reach back over one shoulder and can grab
their hand. Me, not so much. I'd be lucky to be within 6 inches. If you run across some exercises, I'd
love to hear about them.