How do you know that what you are being told is true?
The efforts to understand the physics and biology of swimming pre-dates the classic book that I first saw about 40 years ago, "The Science of Swimming." Today, one of the best summaries of the current state of theory is:
Amazon.com: Swimming Fastest (9780736031806): Ernest Maglischo: Books
Somewhere in it's 600 pages, you'll find detailed answers - with explanations of the underlying research findings - to your questions.
I wonder, how many use this "phase 1" hand tilt in their swimming?
I've seen it, but it certainly isn't real common. I think it was you that mentioned the interplay between physiology and fluid mechanics. I have a feeling that position isn't exactly ideal for application of power so it might not really help much.
I've seen it, but it certainly isn't real common. I think it was you that mentioned the interplay between physiology and fluid mechanics. I have a feeling that position isn't exactly ideal for application of power so it might not really help much.
I've heard of pre-setting the wrist (if that term is accurate). But, I'm not sure how prevalent it is in practice.
Here's a slow motion video of Sun Yang's 1500 World Record race. In particular see :54 - 1:11. No noticeable wrist tilt at the start of his catch.
Sun Yang Front Crawl Technique (Under Water & Slow Motion) - YouTube
As Kirk suggests, we humans are in an awkward position at the start of the catch and are forced to work through an inefficient movement to get to a point where we can apply power more effectively.
I've heard of pre-setting the wrist (if that term is accurate). But, I'm not sure how prevalent it is in practice.
Here's a slow motion video of Sun Yang's 1500 World Record race. In particular see :54 - 1:11. No noticeable wrist tilt at the start of his catch.
Sun Yang Front Crawl Technique (Under Water & Slow Motion) - YouTube
As Kirk suggests, we humans are in an awkward position at the start of the catch and are forced to work through an inefficient movement to get to a point where we can apply power more effectively.
Yeah, but it looks like he does it around 1:48 to 2:15. And I thought I saw a few strokes where his wrist tilted up, which is supposed to be a no-no.
But then I think you could see about anything in a swimmer's 1500. So many strokes.
There's another way to think of this, though. If you want a full extension out front your arm must go through some range of motion before reaching 30 degrees, so why waste that part of the stroke even if it is only contributing a small amount to forward propulsion?
I just looked at this again. The problem, in my view, is that for the first 30 degrees (and possibly the last 30) you are using a huge percentage of your available energy (and the force you are applying) to simply push you upwards rather than propel you forward. And so I wonder if there might be a way to improve upon this. I know that in competition even a 1% advantage is important, particularly when a sprint race can be decided by a difference of 10 milliseconds. Still, if one could do something different during those initial and final 30 degrees to direct the force away from lift and towards forward propulsion it could make a huge difference.
In watching the "Mr Smooth" simulation I see that they are promoting the idea of tilting your hand markedly downward (bending at the wrist) as soon as the stroke begins. This would re-direct the portion of the force produced by the hand more towards propulsion rather than lifting you up. The rest of the arm is still wasting a lot of power...but this might be the best we can do.
I wonder, how many use this "phase 1" hand tilt in their swimming?
By spearing the water you probably break Newtons third law.
As someone with a PhD in underwater basket weaving, Newton's Third Law is not quite so simple (unless you are swimming in a vacuum). It is usually quoted as To every action there is always an equal and opposite reaction, but that applies to a closed, isolated system. There is more that needs to be accounted for, than just the hand and the small patch of water near the hand.
Yeah, but it looks like he does it around 1:48 to 2:15. And I thought I saw a few strokes where his wrist tilted up, which is supposed to be a no-no.
But then I think you could see about anything in a swimmer's 1500. So many strokes.
Good, um... catch. You're right in that you'll see a bit of everything in a 1500. I'm sure impressed by his consistency.
what do the elite swimmers share with each other, which is absent from the group of (umm...) less-elite swimmers.I can answer that, it's speed.
Seriously, how about
1. efficency,
2. balance,
3. talent and,
4. athletic capacity?
I can answer that, it's speed.
Seriously, how about
1. efficency,
2. balance,
3. talent and,
4. athletic capacity?
Good list. Of these my current focus is balance. I've tried the TI approach of "pressing the T" without success. Any other balance drills that have worked (TI or otherwise)?
I remember an article in Tennis magazine where they analyzed John McEnroe's serve. (Yes, that was a long time ago. :oldman: ) They pointed out that most young players were emulating his unusual pre-serve motions (which was irrelevant to his service motion) and failing to copy that parts of his serve which made it effective.
That is one part that really stuck out in the intro chapter for the TI book. There are a lot of fast pro swimmers who have their own quirks which work for them, but may contradict each other. The question becomes, what do the elite swimmers share with each other, which is absent from the group of (umm...) less-elite swimmers.
