My latest swimming vid, advice

did the coach draw that picture? Or is that your interpretation? Because that just looks wrong on so many levels. "He essentially wants me to press deep into the water and pull with my forearm horizontal while tying to touch my opposite hip." The first two pieces - press the water, pull with the forearm, I've heard tons. As for the hip, what I get out of that is he wants you to rotate more throughout your stroke so that when you finish you aren't as flat in the water (ie. it's not about bringing your hand to your opposite hip (crossing over the middle line), but bringing your opposite hip to your hand). When I watched your video, you did seem a little flat. Maybe that's what he's getting at? Because when you finish the stroke on the left (hand nearing the hips), you should already be stretching out on your right (pushing your right hip down) which sort of feels like bringing your right hip and your left hand together - although they don't actually touch! Whether that's better than what you are doing - I'm a big believer in people doing what works for them. Some people find swimming flatter faster and easier on the shoulders, some people don't.

did the coach draw that picture? Or is that your interpretation? Because that just looks wrong on so many levels. "He essentially wants me to press deep into the water and pull with my forearm horizontal while tying to touch my opposite hip." The first two pieces - press the water, pull with the forearm, I've heard tons. As for the hip, what I get out of that is he wants you to rotate more throughout your stroke so that when you finish you aren't as flat in the water (ie. it's not about bringing your hand to your opposite hip (crossing over the middle line), but bringing your opposite hip to your hand). When I watched your video, you did seem a little flat. Maybe that's what he's getting at? Because when you finish the stroke on the left (hand nearing the hips), you should already be stretching out on your right (pushing your right hip down) which sort of feels like bringing your right hip and your left hand together - although they don't actually touch! Whether that's better than what you are doing - I'm a big believer in people doing what works for them. Some people find swimming flatter faster and easier on the shoulders, some people don't. I drew the picture but is exactly what he told me and actually what he drew for me on his board. He was also clear about crossing the midline.

Thanks guys. I am really in a quagmire right now. I think I have mentioned how my coach is trying to get me to swim freestyle in a very different way than what I have read, seen in videos, or or been taught by other here. I have generally tried to fudge my way through by making a token effort to do a little of what he says so as not to offend him. My hope was that he would just let it go and work with what I am comfortable doing. I like his workouts and his help on other strokes has been really useful. He is also a guy who was a heck of a swimmer in his day, has decades of experience, and has coached many a great swimmer, including Tracy Caulkin. So I am a peon comparatively. But here is what he wants me to do (I've drawn and attached an illustration). He essentially wants me to press deep into the water and pull with my forearm horizontal while tying to touch my opposite hip. I don't know a lot, but I do know that modern swimmers do not do this for the most part, with a few exceptions. I think Alain Barnard might do something similar. I also am pretty sure from trying that today that my shoulder will blow if I do a lot of that. I tried to gently tell him that it didn't feel right and maybe there is some compromise or some part of that I can incorporate into my current stroke. I also pointed out that the wider pull (not crossing the midline and higher elbow) works for a lot of olympians so maybe there is more than one way to skin the cat. He felt that maybe they were taught that way but he didn't agree with it and they might be faster doing it his way. I think he was a little offended that I didn't trust his judgement on this. I really don't know what to do, it has gotten to the point where I'm hoping he doesn't pay attention to me when I swim freestyle. I'm well aware that I have a lot more work to do to become a better competitive swimmer, I have no delusions about that. But am I wrong in thinking I should keep working on the more modern high elbow catch and pull (no crossing the middle)? Your coach also tried to get me to do the same stroke. It lasted about 2 weeks before my shoulder was so painful that I told him I had to change it back. I understand that he knows more about swimming than we do but we know more about how our bodies will react with changes. Tell him your shoulders just won't last with the change in stroke. I think what you have now works for you and you are improving a lot!

I agree, those ankles look like they're hindering you a lot. Stiff ankles ?

More intense stretching? Funny I'm a very flexible guy outside my ankles. Can almost palm the floor bending down with locked knees, not far from the splits, etc. But man my ankle flexibility stinks. Is there hope? I would think using the long fins and getting that up and down motion in your head and then taking off the fins and remembering the up and down flow that the ankles should do.

I agree, those ankles look like they're hindering you a lot. More intense stretching? Funny I'm a very flexible guy outside my ankles. Can almost palm the floor bending down with locked knees, not far from the splits, etc. But man my ankle flexibility stinks. Is there hope?

Improving flexibility is a slow process and there is more than hope for you. There are a few exercises that you can do to improve your ankle flexibility. Go to youtube and use as many tips as you can find. I think most of the ideas will help you. I have a couple examples on youtube. Good luck to you !!! Coach T. More intense stretching? Funny I'm a very flexible guy outside my ankles. Can almost palm the floor bending down with locked knees, not far from the splits, etc. But man my ankle flexibility stinks. Is there hope?

I agree with what others have said. Everything pretty much looks great but I think you could improve your kick by improving flexibility and allocating a little more more power/energy.