I recently attended a TI workshop. It was very enlightening and I greatly improved my stroke over a weekend. During the class, the instructors emphasized that they were having the students exaggerate the movements (e.g. amount of rotation), but that the principles were proven effective and adhering to them would be the most efficient way to swim (longer, easier and faster).
When I got home, I reviewed my slow-motion videos of freestylers from the Sydney Olympics. Hardly any of the top swimmers (regardless of distance) were swimming on their sides or using "front-quadrant" swimming. Also, they slide their recovering arm into the water much further in front of their heads than TI advocates. Now I'm scratching my head. Is TI only designed to make mere mortals swim faster or is it useful for strong collegiate, masters and other swimmers as well? If the principles are so sound, why don't the best swimmers use them? Is it worth my while to try to swim the TI way (which involves A LOT of muscle re-training), even though my masters coach is giving me puzzled looks because my technique no longer resembles the rest of the team?
Any comments are appreciated -- especially from those who have taken and followed the TI methods, or who have taught them (Emmett, etc.). Thanks.
Parents
Former Member
Hunter Thompson once said something like: "I do not advocate the use of violence, drugs, insanity or alcohol, but they have worked well for me." So bear that in mind as you read what follows.
On a purely personal level, I must say that TI techniques have been wonderful for me, both in terms of speed and ease of swimming. However, keep in mind that there is a difference between TECHNIQUE (what TI teaches) and STYLE( the adaptation of a technique to your unique body structure and abilities). For example, I have NO kick whatsoever. Therefore, the frequency of my strokes tends to be very slightly higher than what the TI way might consider optimal. If I try to get across the pool in say, eleven strokes, I can do it but it involves a lot of acceleration and deceleration. It is better for me to do it in 12 - 14 strokes. It is smoother and places less stress on my shoulders. Someone else, perhaps with a nice kick, would have little problem. The TI principles (lessen drag, swim purposefully, etc) all apply, but the details get tweaked a bit to fit me.
As to world class swimmers not using TI: I disagree. I have seen video clips of Thorpe and Klim using what I would consider a modified TI-type stroke. (Can't remember the URL - sorry.) More of a "catch-up" style of stroke, butt high in the water, power from the hips, but modified to fit them and the fact that they can sacrifice some efficiency for speed. (Similar to a sprinter in track & field - the fastest way to run is not always the most efficient way; it just depends on the distance you are going.)
I could never afford a TI clinic due to my wife's health problems, but using the (older) book and video helped me. I can only guess that the clinic, if properly applied, might be even better.
BTW, our swim group recently got a new coach and he stopped me in the middle of the first practice's warmup and said "My God, how on earth did you get such beautiful technique."
Total Immersion!
Hunter Thompson once said something like: "I do not advocate the use of violence, drugs, insanity or alcohol, but they have worked well for me." So bear that in mind as you read what follows.
On a purely personal level, I must say that TI techniques have been wonderful for me, both in terms of speed and ease of swimming. However, keep in mind that there is a difference between TECHNIQUE (what TI teaches) and STYLE( the adaptation of a technique to your unique body structure and abilities). For example, I have NO kick whatsoever. Therefore, the frequency of my strokes tends to be very slightly higher than what the TI way might consider optimal. If I try to get across the pool in say, eleven strokes, I can do it but it involves a lot of acceleration and deceleration. It is better for me to do it in 12 - 14 strokes. It is smoother and places less stress on my shoulders. Someone else, perhaps with a nice kick, would have little problem. The TI principles (lessen drag, swim purposefully, etc) all apply, but the details get tweaked a bit to fit me.
As to world class swimmers not using TI: I disagree. I have seen video clips of Thorpe and Klim using what I would consider a modified TI-type stroke. (Can't remember the URL - sorry.) More of a "catch-up" style of stroke, butt high in the water, power from the hips, but modified to fit them and the fact that they can sacrifice some efficiency for speed. (Similar to a sprinter in track & field - the fastest way to run is not always the most efficient way; it just depends on the distance you are going.)
I could never afford a TI clinic due to my wife's health problems, but using the (older) book and video helped me. I can only guess that the clinic, if properly applied, might be even better.
BTW, our swim group recently got a new coach and he stopped me in the middle of the first practice's warmup and said "My God, how on earth did you get such beautiful technique."
Total Immersion!
