Well, I have no idea how to post video, but I had a friend tape me at the pool this weekend. two lengths of the 25yd pool (well, twice, for a total of 2x50yd). The major problems in my stroke were so obvious even I could pick them out, but I need some help figuring out how to fix them.
I’d appreciate some suggestions of specific drills to correct the flaws listed below. And if anybody can tell me how to post video clips, I’ll try to post the video.
For the record, the time counter on the tape says I did the first 50yd in 50 seconds, so I was doing a 1:40/100yd. This is very good for me, so I know this is near my “best” form. The “fast” lap was 50yd in :37, for a 1:14/100yd pace. But I was TOAST at the end.
Anyway, here’s what I saw:
Crossing over, especially with the left hand. Causing me to “fish” back and forth instead of going straight.
Fingers open instead of hand closed and cupped.
Lead arm falling out of position when I breathe (still lifting head??)
I seem to be stopping my elbow and anchoring it just above my head and swinging my arm below it like a pendulum in the recovery. Not sure if this is right or not.
(Along with 4?? Consequence of 4?) I think my hand is entering the water too far ahead of my head.
Good post and these are very correctable issues: MY COMMENTS ARE IN CAPS!!
Crossing over, especially with the left hand. Causing me to “fish” back and forth instead of going straight. ONE ARM DRILL, CATCHUP WITH OR WITHOUT BOARD
Fingers open instead of hand closed and cupped. PUT PENNIES BTWN. FINGERS AND SWIM 2 X 10X 25 SETS
Lead arm falling out of position when I breathe (still lifting head??) BOUYANCY DIRLL AND VISUALIZE A GOOD MOVIE ON BOTTOM OF POOL. KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN!!!
I seem to be stopping my elbow and anchoring it just above my head and swinging my arm below it like a pendulum in the recovery. Not sure if this is right or not. HIGH ELBOW IS GOOD. JUST MAKE SURE TO ENTER THE WATER 6-8 INCHES IN FRONT OF YOU HEAD.
(Along with 4?? Consequence of 4?) I think my hand is entering the water too far ahead of my head. ENTERING TOO EARLY IS A NO NO AS WATER IS DENSER THEN AIR AND OUSHING THRU IT IS WASTEFUL. ENTER OUT THRU THE AIR. I DON’T MEAN TO SAY TO PLACE YOUR HAND ON THE WATER BUT ENTER FINGERS DOWNEQUI DSITANT TO YOUR OTHER WRIST OR 6-8 INCHES IN FRONT OF HEAD.
Maybe not enough body roll… THIS WILL COME BUT YOU WILL NEED TO CONSCIOUSLY REACH FORWARD TOWARDS THE WALL TO ROLL WELL.
Getting effective stroke coaching online via descriptions of your stroke flaws from your own view of some videos taken of you is almost impossible. Getting ineffective coaching is, of course, very easy, but you can ask any third-grader to do that.
Can you find someone who knows what they are doing and who are local (a real flesh and blood human being) to look and evaluate you as you swim? Where do you live? If you live near me, I will offer you my help.
In any case, a real person will be the ticket for you. Sadly, what you are doing here is a waste of time and effort.
Hey! Misery loves company! As it turns out, I had a private session with Doug Stern on Friday, part of my reason for doing the NYCT Tri. He watched me swim for about 45 minutes, stopping me just about every lap to point out where my technique was deficient, and then offering suggestions. Next lap, we’d talk about what I had noticed by trying to follow his advice. The session finished with Doug taping me from several above-water angles, and we then dissected (eviscerated?) what the camera revealed.
Just to make you feel better, here’s where I have flaws:
1.) My hand entry is too late, too far forward.
2.) My elbow (especially the left) often enetrs the water first; this is a consequence of #1.
3.) My entry is too close to my midline, not in line with my shoulders.
4.) I breathe too late in the cycle; I should be breathing just as my left hand enters the water.
5.) My pull is too deep, with my elbows dropped too low.
6.) My hands should be exiting just below the hips, and with my palms facing inward.
7.) Poor toe/foot flexibility.
8.) My kick is a nightmare, with legs splaying out widely, almost scissor-like. I FEEL as if they’re close together and working well, but there’s no questioning what I saw in the video.
Beyond the critique, Doug gave me very practical suggestions to follow, as well as an open-ended invitation to e-mail or phone him at any time with further questions. He is hardly local (it’s an 8-hour drive down there for me), but my time with him was immensely valuable and I really appreciate the follow-up opportunity. I dearly wish I had done this sort of thing several years ago…
And hey - you work on your flaws and I’ll work on mine, and then I’ll race ya!! ;o)
You other guys obviously haven’t seen my stroke. You’re right on one thing. A third grader could point out the flaws in my stroke.
I’d love to have a live, flesh & blood coach, but right now my budget is less than $0.00, and there’s not exactly a proliferation of “effective” coaches in that price range. Unless you live in Central KY and are volunteering.
I know it’s going to require a good coach to get me from “good” to “great” … but I’m working on going from “not quite drowning” to “not quite embarrassing”.
To that end, I expect Lee’s comments will be quite helpful - and cost effective!
I agree with getting a real person in touch with your stroke. BUT, some things with swimming are balck and white and the poster described the swim limiters very well. I know those solutions will help and don’t belive i am being ineffective. third grader maybe but my wife tells me that all the time.
It wasn’t me that introduced the “third grader” concept, it was Greg/ORD. I would say it’s a gross exageration, but I can’t agree that some things in swimming are black and white. You’ll have to twist my arm pretty badly in order for me to give swim advice through email, just ask anyone that has asked.
No worries smartass! You are so right and THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE EVER GIVEN SWIM ADVICE VIA EMAIL OR ST. yes you can look back. this is great, i help a guy out for free and see where it goes. ST rules!!!
By no means was i saying that leezee was equivalent to a third grader.
Only that getting advice about one’s individual, particular swim stroke over e-mail, even if the advice is given by an expert (who has never seen you swim) is pretty close to useless.
The only way one could do it, is if one had the hardware and software that that some super skilled surgeons use these days to occasionally do surgery from remote locations. THEN you could do it…
Don’t let them get you down. Coaches just aren’t always in the budget. But of course, you do get what yor pay for. That being said, the following is my opinion, I am a former swimmer but I do not coach.
Catch-up with a stick or board or pull buoy should help the crossing over. The pennies thing should help with the hand thing, although I would just focus on it. The sinking when breathing thing is a little more difficult. I would first try and make sure that your balance in the water is good with good rotation. The TI drills would likely be good here (i.e. kicking on your side with arms extended).
the single most important thing in the water is body position. the pushing the bouy and balance stuff seems kind of hokey but it helps.
Just being able to recognize the flaws puts you way ahead of others. Do you swim with a group? If so ask one of the good swimmers to help you out. I tend to ‘help’ a lot of the people in the pool at my gym. Sounds to me like a little guidance would go a long way and many good swimmers would likely be willing to help. Just take everything they say with a grain of salt (although swimming is very technical, the same exact stroke does not seem to work for everyone). Regular video sessions can help you assess changes and see if things are working.
Check out this site. www.swim.ee It is a free site that gives videos of various elite swimmers at various stages in their strokes. It is interesting and might allow you to compare what you are doing to what they are doing.
