So I'm a middle-aged guy who took up swimming a few years ago--and loves it! Not a great swimmer, but a person who has pretty solid mechanics in three sports. So here's my prologue, then my question.
Some actions are fluid: running, shooting a layup with normal elevation. By fluid, I mean you transfer the energy forward in a continuous motion without "cocking" or "setting up" the next stride, or the upward motion off the court.
Other actions we may call "fluid," but they are not: high jumping, a tennis serve, swinging a golf club. In all these, there is a hesitation (very slight) while one gathers so that energy can be properly delivered to the key motion. A tennis serve should be smooth, but if there's not that instant when you are setting yourself up for the explosive movement, then it will never be a powerful serve.
So which is swimming? Specifically, the reach in freestyle? I know you are not supposed to have a "dead spot" in your stroke, but is the idea a continual forward rolling motion, or does one stay relaxed, yet **** a bit, or set up each reach? Is it a flywheel, or is it a smooth, relaxed succession of spear thrusts with a little torque behind them? Not sure that it matters, but in my case I'm asking as someone who has (or at least tries to have) more of a hip driven stroke.
I've had a little coaching and have read a lot of stuff, but I can't say I know the answer. Thanks for considering this!
Thanks for the feedback. My use of "fluid" is pretty slippery. Re layup/high jump, a layup at regular elevation is a controlled movement that just uses the natural force that's already there moving forward, with the emphasis on balance and smoothness, whereas a high-jumper is preparing for an explosive move. Put another way, a layup at regular elevation is just the next stride going slightly upward rather than forward.
When I watch competitive swimmers filmed underwater, there seems to be a slight hesitation before the catch, but I think the reference to "riding the glide" probably explains that better then sort of setting up for the catch, which I had suggested as a possibility.
If I might ask a follow-up question, is it fair to say then, if the motion is continuous (except maybe for the glide), then is the motion at least accelerated slightly as one begins the catch? I guess at the heart of my question is whether I'm being too lazy when I reach forward. I can swim with a very consistent tempo, kind of like a paddle boat, if I just don't reach out too far, and if I keep a consistent amount of force through my core. This is very fluid, but it's also slower than if I am intentionally more aggressive with the catch so that I really reach out there. Thanks again for the conversation; I've always been sort of a mechanics wonk when it comes to sports, and this is part of the fun of swimming and improving for me.
Thanks for the feedback. My use of "fluid" is pretty slippery. Re layup/high jump, a layup at regular elevation is a controlled movement that just uses the natural force that's already there moving forward, with the emphasis on balance and smoothness, whereas a high-jumper is preparing for an explosive move. Put another way, a layup at regular elevation is just the next stride going slightly upward rather than forward.
When I watch competitive swimmers filmed underwater, there seems to be a slight hesitation before the catch, but I think the reference to "riding the glide" probably explains that better then sort of setting up for the catch, which I had suggested as a possibility.
If I might ask a follow-up question, is it fair to say then, if the motion is continuous (except maybe for the glide), then is the motion at least accelerated slightly as one begins the catch? I guess at the heart of my question is whether I'm being too lazy when I reach forward. I can swim with a very consistent tempo, kind of like a paddle boat, if I just don't reach out too far, and if I keep a consistent amount of force through my core. This is very fluid, but it's also slower than if I am intentionally more aggressive with the catch so that I really reach out there. Thanks again for the conversation; I've always been sort of a mechanics wonk when it comes to sports, and this is part of the fun of swimming and improving for me.
