I am swimming with a new coach and she is quite adamant that my breathe every stroke rhythm is holding me back and I *might* hyperventilate. I look at breathing as a choice. I don't breathe every time my head comes up, but rather do it for rhythm. As in head down strokes tend to lead to my hips dropping later in a race. So, I find the head up every stroke helps me with that.
Is there any other reason why I *need* to take a head down stroke that she isn't explaining to me? I'm almost getting to the point where I'm tuning her out unfortunately, but if it's simply a 'hyperventilate' mantra it makes zero sense b/c bringing ones head up doesn't necessitate a breath.
Is the only reason to take a head down stroke to avoid hyperventilating? I have asked her this question and received 'yes', but would like to hear from the forum brain trust on this. Thank you! If this is a technique issue by lowering the head that will make me faster I'm all for it, but I want to hear the how and why b/f I potentially disrupt the rhythm of my stroke.
Without knowing what your coach is seeing it is difficult to assess your comments. But from personal observation, I’ve never experienced butterfly hyperventilation. Butterfly hypoxia, yes and often, but hyperventilation, nope.
I’ve always believed the 2 main reasons for head down strokes are to keep the hips up and to smooth out and speed up the stroke. If head down does neither for you then Phelps away!
And if you really don’t want to change then play the Masters card and let her know that while you appreciate her help and advice, you are happy with your stroke as is and don’t want to change a thing.
Without knowing what your coach is seeing it is difficult to assess your comments. But from personal observation, I’ve never experienced butterfly hyperventilation. Butterfly hypoxia, yes and often, but hyperventilation, nope.
I’ve always believed the 2 main reasons for head down strokes are to keep the hips up and to smooth out and speed up the stroke. If head down does neither for you then Phelps away!
And if you really don’t want to change then play the Masters card and let her know that while you appreciate her help and advice, you are happy with your stroke as is and don’t want to change a thing.
