bullshark wrote:
ericmulk wrote:
turningscrews wrote:
If you can't float & you have to kick to stay on top of the body, the pull is less effective. For that reason alone, I think TI sets a good foundation for teaching the non-swimmer how to use their body position to float.Sheila T says good body position should be able to be taught in one lesson, 2 at the most, and then it's on to mastering the pull.
I'm still trying to master body position and will probably never get it right (adult onset swimmer, sinking legs...). I have to believe the hydrodynamic drag created by poor position totally swamps any gains using EVF (just look at the surface areas). Probably why I'm 10 to 12 secs faster per 100scy with a pull buoy. I don't think EVF would buy me 10 seconds by itself.
I knew someone would say this and ya, I see this every single day at the pool, as the vast majority of casual swimmers have very poor body position, with their feet 1.5 to 2.5 ft under the water. However, I think body position is highly related to not only head position but also how you pull. If you keep your head down and reach way out and really pull hard, the very act of reaching and "pulling over the barrel" tends to lift the body. I see a lot of people who try to pull too fast and their arms just slip through the water without really grabbing a hold of the water. You should be able to feel the water as almost a solid force on your hands and forearms when you're pulling. Add in a light to moderate flutter kick, and then voila, your legs stay up. When kicking, try to point your toes and keep the flutter kick tight and close to the water surface.
Also, have you tried lessons with a good instructor/coach??? There's a guy at my club whom I've seen take several complete non-swimmers, afraid of putting their head in the water, to competent, efficient swimmers in 3 months.
"Anyone can be who they want to be IF they have the HUNGER and the DRIVE."