Hi everyone
I'm trying to reduce my front crawl armstroke rate. Currently I can get through 25M in 25 strokes (at best), my technique feels ok (high elbow recovery and a decent push phase), yet I notice other folks in the pool travelling the same distance in 15-20 strokes looking really relaxed. I'm working on improving my body roll, which I guess is the key, but any help or tips (maybe from someone who's had the same problem and has made a significant improvement) would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers
Andy
Definitely work on distance per stroke (DPS). If your form is good, the biggest gains you can make are likely to be from swimming more efficiently (stream lining and DPS are big potential efficiency gains). If you are taking 20 strokes per length, holding the same speed, and are able to reduce the the stroke count to about 16, you've cut your energy usage by about as follows: 4 strokes /20 strokes = 20% - a big energy savings. Maybe not so important in a 50 sprint, but makes a big difference in anything longer.
My fav drills to get a sense for DPS are finger-tip drill and catch-up drill (once heard someone call this scooter drill). Body roll helps your ability to use your poweful shoulder muscles to adduct you arm when you pull, but i don't get a good roll going with either of these drills. I've found that pull sets with paddles lets me work on roll and DPS. Some of the other better and younger swimmers on this board may have some better ideas.
Definitely work on distance per stroke (DPS). If your form is good, the biggest gains you can make are likely to be from swimming more efficiently (stream lining and DPS are big potential efficiency gains). If you are taking 20 strokes per length, holding the same speed, and are able to reduce the the stroke count to about 16, you've cut your energy usage by about as follows: 4 strokes /20 strokes = 20% - a big energy savings. Maybe not so important in a 50 sprint, but makes a big difference in anything longer.
My fav drills to get a sense for DPS are finger-tip drill and catch-up drill (once heard someone call this scooter drill). Body roll helps your ability to use your poweful shoulder muscles to adduct you arm when you pull, but i don't get a good roll going with either of these drills. I've found that pull sets with paddles lets me work on roll and DPS. Some of the other better and younger swimmers on this board may have some better ideas.
