One of my favorite parts of any workout is doing some drills. Not only do they break up the monotony of swimming back and forth, but they're a great chance to improve efficiency and focus on technique.
I'm always on the hunt for new drills to add to my repertoire. I put together this list of freestyle drills and explanations that are my current favorites, but I'm looking for some new ones both as a swimmer and a coach. What else do people do?
The list:
Catch up swimming
Finger drag
3-6-3 swimming
Sculling
One arm swimming
Closed fist swimming
Over swimming
Slow and technically perfect
I really can't stand catch up drill and hate when the coach prescribes it. I've found that it tends to put a dead spot in my stroke.
To add to your list:
-My kids' coach makes them do wrist drag, just like finger drag, but your whole hand is in the water. Not sure what that does, besides slow you down;
-"Unco" short for uncoordinated, is a big Swim Smooth drill that I love. Basically one arm swimming but your non-stroking arm is at your side, and you breath to that side, not the stroking side. Very hard to do.
-Broken arrow is another SS drill. Like a 3-6-3 (or 6-1-6). When kicking on your side, you raise your stroking arm straight up, then "break the arrow" hold for a half second, then pierce the water with that hand and cycle to the other side.
-Doggy paddle. Really helps me with the underwater portion of the pull. Another SS drill. Can you tell I do lots of SS drills? ;)
I really can't stand catch up drill and hate when the coach prescribes it. I've found that it tends to put a dead spot in my stroke.
To add to your list:
-My kids' coach makes them do wrist drag, just like finger drag, but your whole hand is in the water. Not sure what that does, besides slow you down;
-"Unco" short for uncoordinated, is a big Swim Smooth drill that I love. Basically one arm swimming but your non-stroking arm is at your side, and you breath to that side, not the stroking side. Very hard to do.
-Broken arrow is another SS drill. Like a 3-6-3 (or 6-1-6). When kicking on your side, you raise your stroking arm straight up, then "break the arrow" hold for a half second, then pierce the water with that hand and cycle to the other side.
-Doggy paddle. Really helps me with the underwater portion of the pull. Another SS drill. Can you tell I do lots of SS drills? ;)
