Good morning,
Just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Deb aka EboniWave. I'm a new swimmer with about eight months of experience under my belt. other than learning some basics, floating and treading water as a kid, as an adult swimmer I'm pretty much self taught. I can now make it 25 yards without being totally out of breathe. But can't seem to make any significant progress with my breathing or form or technique.
So that’s where I am today. My goal is to make swimming a viable cardio exercise that’s fun and enjoyable. I also need a form of cardio as an alternative to running that is non weight bearing and can take the stress off my feet, knees and joints. I had someone take another video of me this past Sunday, and I can now see some improvement. But here’s what I THINK is going on, and this is what I THINK I need help with:
· I’m still lifting my head to high to breathe, which makes me sink low and work harder
· Still kicking from the knee too much
· Maybe I’m OVER rotating on each stroke
· I drag my left arm, and my left arm crosses my body under the water
· Stroke over 25 yards very inconsistent (both arms)
https:youtu.be/hiWLu_adte8
last year (December)
https://youtu.be/3bJrufWPyFc
Last month
https://youtu.be/7J9GEsCcXek
taken last Sunday
I’d really appreaciate it if someone would comment and critique my video. I've included all three for comparison with where I started and where I am now. I’ll start attending local Master’s sessions in January. In the meantime, it would really be great if I could get some tips to work on SOMETHING to improve before then.
Thanks very much.
EboniWave
Hey, Deb! Welcome to the USMS Forums! :welcome: I applaud you for the steps you have taken to set goals and take active steps to achieve them. Coming here was a smart move, and posting videos is just the ticket to getting the help you need to improve.
DJ is correct when he says repetition will help you improve. Looking at your videos, you have improved tremendously! It also brought back great memories, because I taught a gal in my community how to swim from scratch. I had never taught anybody how to swim, but she was very motivated, and I couldn't say no when she asked. Gail became my project!
Check out this video: youtu.be/35jgU84suXw .
Just make sure to turn the sound off when you watch it, or I'll drive you nuts with my constant cheers of "Good!" I was just so darn proud of Gail, because she couldn't swim one stroke before she got in the water with me. The video shows Gail swimming in her 33rd lesson. Her backstroke came along much faster, because she was more comfortable swimming in that position: youtu.be/OhHegV9uSR8 .
Now, for a tip. To get the feel for how your body position should be in the water, you may want to try borrowing a pull buoy if they have one at your pool you can use. Stick it between your thighs, and then swim without kicking. Use it ONLY as long as you need to feel the right body position, and then remove it. Continue swimming without it, and add the kick.
Another thing that would help is watching instructional videos on YouTube and practicing what you saw and learned from the video. I find the "Go Swim" videos to be excellent tools.
You are taking the right step to swim with a Masters group. Share your goals with your coach, so he/she understands what you are working on to achieve.
One more thing to leave you with to work on at the next session: You know that black (or blue) line on the bottom of the pool. To help with your cross over problem, watch your stroke as you pull your arm through the water. Visually trace your thumbs so that you see your left thumb tracing down the left edge of the line, and the right thumb tracing down the right edge of the line. This will help correct that cross over.
There is a LOT to think about in swimming, but it's best to just think about one thing at a time! :agree:
Good luck to you, and like Dory said to Nemo, "Keep on swimming!"
Hey, Deb! Welcome to the USMS Forums! :welcome: I applaud you for the steps you have taken to set goals and take active steps to achieve them. Coming here was a smart move, and posting videos is just the ticket to getting the help you need to improve.
DJ is correct when he says repetition will help you improve. Looking at your videos, you have improved tremendously! It also brought back great memories, because I taught a gal in my community how to swim from scratch. I had never taught anybody how to swim, but she was very motivated, and I couldn't say no when she asked. Gail became my project!
Check out this video: youtu.be/35jgU84suXw .
Just make sure to turn the sound off when you watch it, or I'll drive you nuts with my constant cheers of "Good!" I was just so darn proud of Gail, because she couldn't swim one stroke before she got in the water with me. The video shows Gail swimming in her 33rd lesson. Her backstroke came along much faster, because she was more comfortable swimming in that position: youtu.be/OhHegV9uSR8 .
Now, for a tip. To get the feel for how your body position should be in the water, you may want to try borrowing a pull buoy if they have one at your pool you can use. Stick it between your thighs, and then swim without kicking. Use it ONLY as long as you need to feel the right body position, and then remove it. Continue swimming without it, and add the kick.
Another thing that would help is watching instructional videos on YouTube and practicing what you saw and learned from the video. I find the "Go Swim" videos to be excellent tools.
You are taking the right step to swim with a Masters group. Share your goals with your coach, so he/she understands what you are working on to achieve.
One more thing to leave you with to work on at the next session: You know that black (or blue) line on the bottom of the pool. To help with your cross over problem, watch your stroke as you pull your arm through the water. Visually trace your thumbs so that you see your left thumb tracing down the left edge of the line, and the right thumb tracing down the right edge of the line. This will help correct that cross over.
There is a LOT to think about in swimming, but it's best to just think about one thing at a time! :agree:
Good luck to you, and like Dory said to Nemo, "Keep on swimming!"
