I once read a comment on the forums inviting a poster to share a video of himself swimming for critique. Based on that hazy memory of that being an acceptable thing to do, I submit this not-so-great video for any comments you all might have. Yes, I know swimming in a sweater is not very aerodynamic. Thanks all for any help!
Waiting for all the drag comments…
Video quality isn’t great. I see a scissor kick and a general lack of rotation.
I noticed when you got close your right arm looked far too wide. Your camera needs to be in the water or much higher to be of any use.
Maybe you can get someone to follow you with the camera from the side of the pool
I plan on asking for video review in the future as well.
Do you have any links for a well shot ‘critique my swim’ video?
Video quality isn’t great. I see a scissor kick and a general lack of rotation.
Yeah, I was using my iPhone propped up at the end of the pool, but it seems worth it now to at least do a one-off session with someone who can take better video for better feedback. The lack of rotation comment I understand, but will need to look into this “scissor kick” issue you bring up.
I noticed when you got close your right arm looked far too wide. Your camera needs to be in the water or much higher to be of any use.
Maybe you can get someone to follow you with the camera from the side of the pool
Perhaps my wife will oblige me next time we go to the pool. Do you mean I’m swinging my arm out too far from my body horizontally rather than bringing it up over the top vertically? I greatly appreciate the feedback.
I would do four (4) different views.
-
Outside of the water
- Side
- Front
-
Under water
- Side
- Front
I think both of the underwater videos are the most crucial tho
I see a scissor kick and a general lack of rotation.
OK, I better understand the kick issue now, this site seems to do a pretty good job of breaking down different kick techniques and mistakes. Also, the videos of the dude kicking from the hip and kicking incorrectly from the knee are pretty hypnotic. http://www.swimsmooth.com/kick.html
Waiting for all the drag comments…
What do you expect when OP goes swimming in a sweater?
Waiting for all the drag comments…
What do you expect when OP goes swimming in a sweater?
Beat you to it in the OP. Also, why bother spending money on drag tools for strength when I have a natural one?
I see a scissor kick and a general lack of rotation.
OK, I better understand the kick issue now, this site seems to do a pretty good job of breaking down different kick techniques and mistakes. Also, the videos of the dude kicking from the hip and kicking incorrectly from the knee are pretty hypnotic. http://www.swimsmooth.com/kick.html
Here’s a good how-to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYEERgh_VfQ
Damn my lack of reading comprehension…
Here’s what I recommend you work on:
- get your head down so your feet come up. Breathe so that one google is out of the water, one goggle under water - iow - keep your profile low. Also, press your chest into the water to help with body position.
- work on getting your big toes to touch when you kick - this should eliminate the wide kick. Think about kicking inside of a small donut - keep the kick tight.
- Do lots of finger tip drag drill - high elbows!
- Work on a longer reach - try the windmill drill - short video on that: http://d3multisport.com/swimming-3/triathlon-minute-episode-78-attain-powerful-swim-stroke/
- being that I’m a nice guy, no comment on the drag
Really great advice, Mike, I’m going to work on all those things. Having those visuals in mind will definitely help me focus on keeping the kick tight. Thanks!
Really great advice, Mike, I’m going to work on all those things. Having those visuals in mind will definitely help me focus on keeping the kick tight. Thanks!
To add to Mike’s good advice, try to keep your arms from swinging so wide. You may need to work on your shoulder flexibility to be able to do this drill but try swimming with each arm recovering with your thumb sliding up, i.e. touching, the side of your torso as your arm recovers. This recovery requires a very high elbow on your recovery, which is hard for some people. If you can get to the point where this feels normal, you’ll be much closer to a more efficient stroke. Right now you are throwing your arms out so wide that you are fish-tailing through the water, which increases your drag.
Once your arm is in the water, be sure to stretch it out as far as you can and then pull as much water as possible with your hand/forearm on each and every pull. You should be able to feel the rush of water down your thigh to your knee on each and every pull, if you are doing it right and pulling all the way through.
Buy these first
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Good gravy. Are those for trimming hair or trimming hedges???
Sheep
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Thanks much, Eric!