Please let me know if this forum isn't for this kind of question.
I am trying to learn to swim properly. I have been very comfortable with water all my life, no problems at all. However, the only stroke I have ever swum is the *** stroke and probably not so well. Still, I have crossed small lakes swimming and feel completely at ease in any body of water.
Now I am trying to learn proper freestyle. No coach at this point. Lots of videos on the 'net and I also ordered the TI videos.
One problem I am having is that my body doesn't seem to stay near the surface of the water. Because of this, when I rotate to breathe the air isn't there...so I have to either over rotate or wait for the bobbing cycle to bring me back to the surface. I am not sure why this is happening and I am hoping that this is a simple newbie mistake and someone can point out how to correct it.
I am swimming with my head down, even pushing it down chin-to-chest. I am also doing skating drills on both sides and breathing without any problems during those. It's when I transition to crawl that I seem to descend just a few inches. I imagine if I was watching from the outside I'd see me kind of bobbing up and down as I move through the pool.
Any ideas or pointers in the right direction would be appreciated.
Thanks,
-Martin
Parents
Former Member
....the only real critique I got was that I wasn't kicking from the hips. I was told that I was bending my knees too much.... I am certainly not powering through any of it because I am way out of shape right now....
Sounds like the instructor nailed it. With too big a kick you may as well tie a boat anchor around your waist. You want a long, slender "vessel shape" (you will likely hear that term again while getting coached). Think: "12-meter class yacht"... not "barge".
Everything will get easier as your physical conditioning improves.
Your martial arts background is likely going to help you a lot.
Because of your comfort with crossing open water, I'd not be inclined to call you a beginner, but from what you've described, I bet there are some really nervous lifeguards watching you... especially if you are bigger than they are.
It sounds like Patience and Practice are what you need most right now.
Again, some good coaching is going to go a long way too.
Most instructors/coaches working with someone at your current level are going to single out your biggest flaw and work on that. Entry-level technique classes (and they are ALL about technique, at all levels) are likely going to give you one task at a time... that is how it works. Advanced classes are different... and then there is everything in-between.
If you get a privately coached session, you can press them for a list of tips, but a good coach will know how to best address your needs. If you find them pressing you in a different direction than what you want or expect, it is likely because they know what is best for you. But without a recommendation, it may take some of your time to determine the coaches skill level. Anyone who has been on a swim team since they were 10 years old however, and been coaching a year or more, will likely know what is best for you.
I admire your courage. And believe me, anyone who knows is going to do the same. You have a lot of good ideas and drive... and having the right motivation is probably 90% of what you need now... plus putting in the time in the water. Your current level of enthusiasm and motivation is going to take you a long way. When folks see that for themselves, they will respect and admire it. You have a fair amount of work ahead of you though, so be patient... and practice. ;)
If I saw someone like you at an event like the JLG one for your son, I'd possibly approach them for a chat, and end up giving them some pointers on the spot. I've learned to be cautious though, in regards to approaching folks to give free advice. I usually wait to be asked now. More than once though, I've offered to give folks 5-10 minutes of my time... after I've finished my practice. I'm easy to interrupt for 30sec. or so, but most folks are swimming timed intervals, so be careful about chatting folks up that are in the middle of a practice session. If you are diplomatic about it though, you may very well be able to chat some folks up and get some free pointers. Nothing is going to be a substitute for a structured coached session though, either group or private, and that sounds like your best bet right now.
I would not worry too much about long posts, it happens... obviously, I use my fair share of bandwidth. Your initial question was fairly direct, but covered a lot of territory, so that was likely the reason for minimal responses. One thing I can assure you, the more precise your question, the more responses you will get. If you visit this BBS enough, you will begin to recognize the pattern, as well as quickly single out the threads and posters who can benefit you the most.
I strongly encourage you to keep visiting this BBS.
One good thing to know how to use here is the Advanced Search option... available as a link at the top of every page here.
As for more details on the "center of buoyancy" lesson, try this first:
View these posts / threads:
keeping feet above water .. plssssssss help ... - U.S. Masters Swimming Discussion Forums
Crossover Kick - should I lose it? - U.S. Masters Swimming Discussion Forums
Do some people actually have buoyant legs? - U.S. Masters Swimming Discussion Forums
Those are three examples of where I've talked about "buoyancy" here before... there are 7 others... here is how to find them all:
Using the advanced search option... enter:
keyword = buoyancy
user = bud
Show Results as = posts
leave everything else as the default setting
If you still want specific details after that, post so here, and I'll address it in time. Right now I'm ready to move on.
:D
It sounds like you are in the Southern Pacific LMSC... the LMSC (Local Masters Swim Committee) page for your area is a really good place to start to find individual and group coached sessions. If you take the "Places to Swim" link there, you should have lots of choices. Check out the SoPac LMSC web link there too, for more info.
You can also try posting an inquiry at the SoPac LMSC forum here.
If you get a private session 1x/wk, and practice that 3x/wk, in 2-3 months you should feel really comfortable signing up for a regular group coached session. That does not mean you cannot go to a group coached session now... in fact... I recommend it. Most teams/clubs welcome swimmers of all levels. Most also allow one or more free sessions as a "try before you buy" sort of thing. (Most I know anyway, I'm not familiar with your area.) Visiting several USMS affiliated clubs in your area will teach you a lot, let you meet some coaches, as well as a lot of great swimmers.
You may progress faster with the private coach / self-practice route, it that is your preference. But you will likely progress as fast or faster, meet a lot more folks, and have a lot more fun with a coached group (team/club).
Swimmers in general are a very laid back bunch... I think it has to do with the medium they exorcise in. If you visit some local clubs, and especially if you join one, you will almost for sure find the help you want, easily.
Keep us posted on your progress... you will likely find a lot of encouragement here if you visit often enough.
Whatever you do, just don't forget to keep it FUN!
;)
Reply
Former Member
....the only real critique I got was that I wasn't kicking from the hips. I was told that I was bending my knees too much.... I am certainly not powering through any of it because I am way out of shape right now....
Sounds like the instructor nailed it. With too big a kick you may as well tie a boat anchor around your waist. You want a long, slender "vessel shape" (you will likely hear that term again while getting coached). Think: "12-meter class yacht"... not "barge".
Everything will get easier as your physical conditioning improves.
Your martial arts background is likely going to help you a lot.
Because of your comfort with crossing open water, I'd not be inclined to call you a beginner, but from what you've described, I bet there are some really nervous lifeguards watching you... especially if you are bigger than they are.
It sounds like Patience and Practice are what you need most right now.
Again, some good coaching is going to go a long way too.
Most instructors/coaches working with someone at your current level are going to single out your biggest flaw and work on that. Entry-level technique classes (and they are ALL about technique, at all levels) are likely going to give you one task at a time... that is how it works. Advanced classes are different... and then there is everything in-between.
If you get a privately coached session, you can press them for a list of tips, but a good coach will know how to best address your needs. If you find them pressing you in a different direction than what you want or expect, it is likely because they know what is best for you. But without a recommendation, it may take some of your time to determine the coaches skill level. Anyone who has been on a swim team since they were 10 years old however, and been coaching a year or more, will likely know what is best for you.
I admire your courage. And believe me, anyone who knows is going to do the same. You have a lot of good ideas and drive... and having the right motivation is probably 90% of what you need now... plus putting in the time in the water. Your current level of enthusiasm and motivation is going to take you a long way. When folks see that for themselves, they will respect and admire it. You have a fair amount of work ahead of you though, so be patient... and practice. ;)
If I saw someone like you at an event like the JLG one for your son, I'd possibly approach them for a chat, and end up giving them some pointers on the spot. I've learned to be cautious though, in regards to approaching folks to give free advice. I usually wait to be asked now. More than once though, I've offered to give folks 5-10 minutes of my time... after I've finished my practice. I'm easy to interrupt for 30sec. or so, but most folks are swimming timed intervals, so be careful about chatting folks up that are in the middle of a practice session. If you are diplomatic about it though, you may very well be able to chat some folks up and get some free pointers. Nothing is going to be a substitute for a structured coached session though, either group or private, and that sounds like your best bet right now.
I would not worry too much about long posts, it happens... obviously, I use my fair share of bandwidth. Your initial question was fairly direct, but covered a lot of territory, so that was likely the reason for minimal responses. One thing I can assure you, the more precise your question, the more responses you will get. If you visit this BBS enough, you will begin to recognize the pattern, as well as quickly single out the threads and posters who can benefit you the most.
I strongly encourage you to keep visiting this BBS.
One good thing to know how to use here is the Advanced Search option... available as a link at the top of every page here.
As for more details on the "center of buoyancy" lesson, try this first:
View these posts / threads:
keeping feet above water .. plssssssss help ... - U.S. Masters Swimming Discussion Forums
Crossover Kick - should I lose it? - U.S. Masters Swimming Discussion Forums
Do some people actually have buoyant legs? - U.S. Masters Swimming Discussion Forums
Those are three examples of where I've talked about "buoyancy" here before... there are 7 others... here is how to find them all:
Using the advanced search option... enter:
keyword = buoyancy
user = bud
Show Results as = posts
leave everything else as the default setting
If you still want specific details after that, post so here, and I'll address it in time. Right now I'm ready to move on.
:D
It sounds like you are in the Southern Pacific LMSC... the LMSC (Local Masters Swim Committee) page for your area is a really good place to start to find individual and group coached sessions. If you take the "Places to Swim" link there, you should have lots of choices. Check out the SoPac LMSC web link there too, for more info.
You can also try posting an inquiry at the SoPac LMSC forum here.
If you get a private session 1x/wk, and practice that 3x/wk, in 2-3 months you should feel really comfortable signing up for a regular group coached session. That does not mean you cannot go to a group coached session now... in fact... I recommend it. Most teams/clubs welcome swimmers of all levels. Most also allow one or more free sessions as a "try before you buy" sort of thing. (Most I know anyway, I'm not familiar with your area.) Visiting several USMS affiliated clubs in your area will teach you a lot, let you meet some coaches, as well as a lot of great swimmers.
You may progress faster with the private coach / self-practice route, it that is your preference. But you will likely progress as fast or faster, meet a lot more folks, and have a lot more fun with a coached group (team/club).
Swimmers in general are a very laid back bunch... I think it has to do with the medium they exorcise in. If you visit some local clubs, and especially if you join one, you will almost for sure find the help you want, easily.
Keep us posted on your progress... you will likely find a lot of encouragement here if you visit often enough.
Whatever you do, just don't forget to keep it FUN!
;)