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
OK, I said that I would post an update in about a week. Here we are.
Two weeks ago I couldn't swim freestyle to save my life (literally). I could, maybe, fake it for about ten yards. After that I'd have to switch to this funky imitation of a ***-stroke that I've been doing all my life.
I decided I had to learn to swim properly.
I started on my own by looking at various videos on the web as well as the Total Immersion stuff. I did that for about a week. Lots of questions surfaced.
I then asked here and someone recommended that I find out if there was a Masters program near me. There was. I attended the very next day. Today I officially joined the program after a one week trial run.
What a difference! This morning I swam 750 yards in about an hour (with about 1 minute breaks every 50y). I am absolutely thrilled. From complete freestyle incompetence to this in two weeks? Wow!
I love the detail work and drills that coach is having me do. Lots of little details to work out. You really can't beat expert coaching. Also, the pool where the club meets is far, far better than the pool at the health club (50m x 25y x 7ft deep).
My swimming workouts are now five days a week and 1.5hours per session. I am going to use the remaining two days in the week to go to the gym and do some weight training.
Again, thanks for giving me a shove in the right direction. Now I know that I will become a better swimmer. I am looking forward to doing the lake crossing again next year and being near the front of the pack as opposed to 15 minutes behind the last guy.
Reply
Former Member
OK, I said that I would post an update in about a week. Here we are.
Two weeks ago I couldn't swim freestyle to save my life (literally). I could, maybe, fake it for about ten yards. After that I'd have to switch to this funky imitation of a ***-stroke that I've been doing all my life.
I decided I had to learn to swim properly.
I started on my own by looking at various videos on the web as well as the Total Immersion stuff. I did that for about a week. Lots of questions surfaced.
I then asked here and someone recommended that I find out if there was a Masters program near me. There was. I attended the very next day. Today I officially joined the program after a one week trial run.
What a difference! This morning I swam 750 yards in about an hour (with about 1 minute breaks every 50y). I am absolutely thrilled. From complete freestyle incompetence to this in two weeks? Wow!
I love the detail work and drills that coach is having me do. Lots of little details to work out. You really can't beat expert coaching. Also, the pool where the club meets is far, far better than the pool at the health club (50m x 25y x 7ft deep).
My swimming workouts are now five days a week and 1.5hours per session. I am going to use the remaining two days in the week to go to the gym and do some weight training.
Again, thanks for giving me a shove in the right direction. Now I know that I will become a better swimmer. I am looking forward to doing the lake crossing again next year and being near the front of the pack as opposed to 15 minutes behind the last guy.
