Updating My Breaststroke Technique

RE: Updating My Breaststroke Technique

Allen Stark — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 09:02:36 GMT

I shot that film and couldn't help cheering for Allen (and, sounding extremely annoying on the audio :blush: ). It was, by far, the most exciting USMS race *I* have seen! :bow: :applaud: :chug: Yes,and thank you again.

RE: Updating My Breaststroke Technique

Elaine Krugman — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 03:40:03 GMT

Nice WR swim Allen! And great contrast of styles in the video. I shot that film and couldn't help cheering for Allen (and, sounding extremely annoying on the audio :blush: ). It was, by far, the most exciting USMS race *I* have seen! :bow: :applaud: :chug:

RE: Updating My Breaststroke Technique

Allen Stark — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 12:19:50 GMT

You are definitely not too old to change.The "modern"breaststroke is fairly easy to learn.The main points are to keep your head in neutral position at all times(even when breathing,raise up with your torso,not your neck) and recover your legs from the knees,not the hips.These 2 things greatly decrease drag over the old style.You can get a lot of info here forums.usms.org/showthread.php and here http://www.breaststroke.info/ .I dont recommend emulating Amanda Beard or even Rebecca Soni,but certainly Kitajima. www.youtube.com/watch .You might be interested in a comparison of my attempts at modern breaststroke in lane 5(I could do better on keeping my head down) and the swimmer in lane 4 who uses the old style stroke but who is really fast(for an old geezer,he was 61 to my 62 at the time) Nationals LCM Auburn 2011- Allen Stark, 60-64, 200 Breaststroke World Record - YouTube .

RE: Updating My Breaststroke Technique

ande — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 12:13:12 GMT

give em a shot HOW? 1) test your 25 & 50 breastroke speed as is 2) then work to improve your technique 3) then retest your 25 & 50 speed once each week or 2 4) keep repeating steps 2 & 3 watch videos of todays best swimmers and attempt to copy them get one on one instruction from a great breastroker have a friend video you anything new or different is likely to feel funny perfect practice makes perfect get stronger the USMS Breastroke lane is a great resource that will lead you to many other resources going under after each kick is the glide phase, It's better and faster to glide in stremline position instead of trying to glide with your head up on the thrust phase bringing your hands out of the water or having them close to the surface reduces drag common breastroke mistakes by josef nagy Wayne McCauley's http://www.breaststroke.info is quite helpful and are his comments on Nagy's articles and examples: part 1 Part 2 Part 3 part 4 Part 4 Head position mistakes Part 5 Mistakes in breathing Give it a fair try for several months, test your speed regularly and stick with what ever is fastest Keep in mind it is very difficult to change technique, it requires learning the correct movements and constant concentration while actually doing them. Most of all, the moment you stop concentrating you're likely to revert back to your old habits. You have to do the correct movements untill they stick How long does it take? It takes what it takes Swim Faster Faster will help you too Old dogs can learn new tricks

RE: Updating My Breaststroke Technique

GregJS — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 10:45:18 GMT

beastieboy58, I also swam the old style breaststroke growing up and am trying out the new. Can't say I do it well at this point, but as much as I've learned it, I like it. Seems to reduce drag quite a bit and places the kick at the point in the stroke cycle where it will do the most good. By the time the kick comes in, you're pretty much getting to the fully extended streamline position (with the head underwater) so you get a nice glide out of it. I've ben using the drills in the Total Immersion breaststroke video. They seem to be based on the new style and the progression of drills makes it fairly easy to get the basics of the technique and then put the whole stroke together. Good luck with it if you decide to go for it. Nice WR swim Allen! And great contrast of styles in the video.