Help w/ freestyle over rotating breathing

Former Member
Former Member
I have a new swim student who learned a "version" of TI for his triathlons. He over rotates(turning almost on his back) when he breathes. I have worked with him on a couple of drills but they don't seem to be helping... I would love some suggestions for an effective drill that would help with this problem. He is committed to improving his swimming and I really want to help him improve. CoachKathy
Parents
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    I am currently trying to re-gain my 6-beat rhythm kick and find a balance for my one sided breathing ultra-drawn out stroke cycle. My usual race pace DPS for scy used to be 9-12; swimming freestyle warm-up-pace w/good turns I was 9-11 DPS scy. I am a one side breather, I breath to the left ONLY. Many of the world's best freestylers (non-sprinters) are one side breathers, and I stand behind that. (I have made several training attempts with different coaches trying to breath to the right, and it just doesn't work if I want to retain good momentum with consistent stroke 'cycles'. In my earliest years on the summer league swim team learning rotary breathing, my coach never stressed bi-lateral breathing ,so the habit formed. It formed to the point of not being able to efficiently swim while breathing bi-laterally; years and millions of yards later causing my freestyle to be a two stroke cycle. Consequently, my abs started to develop slightly unbalanced. My lateral left side row of abdominals is set almost a half inch higher than my right side. (A little wierd to look at but has never seemed to effect flexibility/rotation or anything else) About three weeks ago I started swimming again for the first time in 5 years and my legs/kick are not synchronized with my stroke cycle like they used to be. I used to be able to 'get into' a rhythm where every stroke cycle would be complemented by a well-timed 6 beat kick, which would provide lift and stability to support and balance my exaggerated stroke length. -Every two strokes was one breath, 6 kicks, all timed in one motion. Each 'cycle' felt like one single articulated movement, this is the only way I could swim free at a fast pace. Now I feel as if my legs, core, and upper body are all disconnected, acting(flailing freely) while just trying to cruise and keep my technique clean. Currently I am trying very hard to do a good job at keeping a long/high catch with a full follow press through with my pull....but it seems "feels like" my legs are moving almost randomly just to maintain the balance of my DPS/upper body. I don't even have a proper 2-beat anymore (which i used to only use for the 800 - mile) or just whenever I felt lazy in longer sets in practice (too often). I need to find drills associated with freestyle kick-beat timing, because after 3 weeks I have made little to no progress on freestyle kick-timing.
Reply
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    I am currently trying to re-gain my 6-beat rhythm kick and find a balance for my one sided breathing ultra-drawn out stroke cycle. My usual race pace DPS for scy used to be 9-12; swimming freestyle warm-up-pace w/good turns I was 9-11 DPS scy. I am a one side breather, I breath to the left ONLY. Many of the world's best freestylers (non-sprinters) are one side breathers, and I stand behind that. (I have made several training attempts with different coaches trying to breath to the right, and it just doesn't work if I want to retain good momentum with consistent stroke 'cycles'. In my earliest years on the summer league swim team learning rotary breathing, my coach never stressed bi-lateral breathing ,so the habit formed. It formed to the point of not being able to efficiently swim while breathing bi-laterally; years and millions of yards later causing my freestyle to be a two stroke cycle. Consequently, my abs started to develop slightly unbalanced. My lateral left side row of abdominals is set almost a half inch higher than my right side. (A little wierd to look at but has never seemed to effect flexibility/rotation or anything else) About three weeks ago I started swimming again for the first time in 5 years and my legs/kick are not synchronized with my stroke cycle like they used to be. I used to be able to 'get into' a rhythm where every stroke cycle would be complemented by a well-timed 6 beat kick, which would provide lift and stability to support and balance my exaggerated stroke length. -Every two strokes was one breath, 6 kicks, all timed in one motion. Each 'cycle' felt like one single articulated movement, this is the only way I could swim free at a fast pace. Now I feel as if my legs, core, and upper body are all disconnected, acting(flailing freely) while just trying to cruise and keep my technique clean. Currently I am trying very hard to do a good job at keeping a long/high catch with a full follow press through with my pull....but it seems "feels like" my legs are moving almost randomly just to maintain the balance of my DPS/upper body. I don't even have a proper 2-beat anymore (which i used to only use for the 800 - mile) or just whenever I felt lazy in longer sets in practice (too often). I need to find drills associated with freestyle kick-beat timing, because after 3 weeks I have made little to no progress on freestyle kick-timing.
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