How much rotation?

RE: How much rotation?

Former Member — Sun, 27 Jul 2014 15:12:47 GMT

thanks ganache. I thought so too, especially, since it looks like his legs are fishtailling a bit. I'll watch the video, it always helps me to see a visual.

RE: How much rotation?

Former Member — Fri, 25 Jul 2014 14:19:12 GMT

fenella, thanks, that's interesting, because I definitely lock the elbow. Emphasis is really put on the full extension. How can you fully extend if you don't lock the elbow? I just watched the video on freestyle extension - this swimmer is really rotating. I'd like some opinions. czx.r.mailjet.com/.../0llku.html

RE: How much rotation?

ganache — Fri, 25 Jul 2014 09:07:47 GMT

Renie, I believe that the swimmer in the video link you provided is rotating too much. That is only my opinion. You might want to watch this presentation by the National Team High Performance Consultant Russell Mark. It is about 60 minutes and talks all about freestyle. These talks are given free by USA Swimming to spread to their coaches the latest ideas. www.usaswimming.org/ViewNewsArticle.aspx

RE: How much rotation?

Former Member — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 12:43:52 GMT

I have just had a genie out of the bottle moment that may be useful for you. A new coach pointed out that I stretched out my arm underwater and "locked" it when swimming - imagine trying to point as far away as possible with your fingers. I also struggled with too much and too little rotation He advised me not to lock my elbow and keep it slightly loose. I find that my arm is more relaxed, the tip of my elbow now points to the side of the pool, and I am automatically rotating much more and without trying at all - it feels very natural as my body turns from side to side, and I have speeded up as a result Hard to explain but worth a try - good luck

RE: How much rotation?

Former Member — Mon, 21 Jul 2014 09:41:27 GMT

Swimming will reward symmetry. If you don't rotate enough on your off side, start breathing there (also, not exclusively) until your rotation is even. After a couple of workouts concentrating on two sided breathing, you will notice small details being corrected automatically. Symmetry is your friend. Thanks Michael. I do occasionally breathe to the left, and notice that it feels different. I tend to avoid the unfamiliar, and I shouldn't do that.

RE: How much rotation?

Michael Heather — Sun, 20 Jul 2014 07:49:06 GMT

RE: How much rotation?

Former Member — Sun, 13 Jul 2014 10:32:27 GMT

very helpful, flystorms!

RE: How much rotation?

Former Member — Sun, 13 Jul 2014 10:31:06 GMT

thanks, ganache! that's what I need - a visual!:)

RE: How much rotation?

GregJS — Sat, 12 Jul 2014 12:45:47 GMT

I'm laughing - but not for the reason you might think. A few weeks ago I went into our local Goodwill store and bought a tape deck! It's fun listening to tapes that have been sitting in a box for many years. Maybe I'll pick up a VHS player next... The TI demonstrated on the tapes you were watching is probably called "Classic" or "Golden Oldies" style now!

RE: How much rotation?

ganache — Sat, 12 Jul 2014 10:51:33 GMT

Freestyle rotation is less than most people think. Please see this "High Performance Tip" on the USA Swimming website. It actually shows you the amount of rotation some of our best swimmers use in their strokes. www.usaswimming.org/ViewNewsArticle.aspx

RE: How much rotation?

flystorms — Sat, 12 Jul 2014 09:19:14 GMT

Saw this article on SwimSwam this morning. swimswam.com/.../

RE: How much rotation?

Former Member — Fri, 11 Jul 2014 09:02:03 GMT

GregJS, don't laugh,:laugh2: but they are VHS tapes! So that gives you an idea how dated they are! They are packed away so I don't know what year they were made.

RE: How much rotation?

Former Member — Fri, 11 Jul 2014 09:00:06 GMT

flystorms, thanks! I tried that drill today. It worked well, I was fairly stable without over-rotating, which is what I've been doing for years.

RE: How much rotation?

GregJS — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 10:48:14 GMT

renie - I'm not certain, but I believe TI no longer recommends as much rotation as they used to. Did you happen to notice the dates on the videos you watched? More recent ones may show less rotation. flystorms - sounds like a good drill - thanks

RE: How much rotation?

Former Member — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 09:16:10 GMT

When I began to work on my front crawl, I watched all the TI videos, and maybe I'm wrong, but the rotation seemed extreme, (complete rotation from side to side). In watching a recent GoSwim video (Narrow Shoulders), using that form, I find that I slightly rotate but not much in comparison to TI. Is there a right/wrong amount of rotation? Also, how does one correct this problem - I rotate easily to my breathing side, but barely rotate to the opposite side. Is there anything else I can do other than breathing on both sides? I agree with Swimspire on avoiding either extremes of to much or to little rotation. Sounds like you also have an older TI video. The newer videos talk about "just enough" rotation to clear the same side hip/shoulder. The distance you are going to race/practice will also determine how much rotation you really want in your stroke. If you are going to race 50-100, then you will use less rotation. If you are looking at longer distances, into open water swimming, you will want to use more rotation.

RE: How much rotation?

flystorms — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 08:56:42 GMT

My stroke coach worked a trick on me that helps. I use it to check myself occasionally. It's a little hard to describe, but take a kickboard and put the wide end between your thighs and have it stick up like a shark fin. As you swim, you will feel it rock side to side. If you are stiff, it'll just stick straight up, and too much rotation and it tends to pop out. You'll get to feeling if you're lopsided or if you're starting to get the right amount. Good luck!

RE: How much rotation?

Swimspire — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 04:03:21 GMT

Generally, you want to avoid any extremes in swimming. You don't want to be extremely flat, nor you do want to over-rotate. Sounds like you need to work on developing more rotation on at least one side. Definitely work on being able to breathe bilaterally - you'll develop more symmetry in your stroke and you'll be able to keep an eye on your competitors from both sides. You can start out with kicking on your side, focusing on the non-breathing side, so that you can become more comfortable with kicking, rotation and breathing on that side. Good luck! :)