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
Way to keep at it! :cheerleader:
Although I've been swimming a while, I still have a lot to work on, and so I can identify with some things you posted! I noticed in looking at the 12/22 video that your left arm seems to cross more than your right and that your head comes out of the water more when you breathe to the right. I notice this b/c I tend to veer to one side when I'm swimming, and especially using a kickboard--and often to the right. I have a cross-over issue too, and the masters' coach keeps reminding me, 11 o'clock and one o'clock! (i.e. in terms of arm position).
Pull buoy--definitely do some 25s with this. You'll notice the difference in speed. I did. Which led my coach to tell me that body position was my difficulty when swimming without it. He also has me sometimes just using a band around my legs plus paddles. (Yes, he likes to torture me, lol!) At first, I felt like this: :drowning: But I gradually felt more comfortable with the paddle/band work, not that I love it, but I can tolerate it. Core work helps too, such as yoga.
Streamline kick... my coach has advised me to get a snorkel--haven't done that yet, but I expect that'll be the next pool toy I get--he says it will help me to keep the body even while I kick. (Did I mention I hate kick sets--though I had an individual session with him re kicking and other stuff and it helped a lot!)
Oh yeah, individual sessions: the swim instructors might be less helpful than a masters' coach. They know more about how to hone technique for competition. My coach was GREAT when I went to him for a one-on-one session. He had me do various drills and gave me constant feedback to help me improve on the skills we were working on. Once you join the masters swim group, it's worth touching base with the coach re a one-on-one session. Also some coaches offer clinics that are more focused/instructional.
Way to keep at it! :cheerleader:
Although I've been swimming a while, I still have a lot to work on, and so I can identify with some things you posted! I noticed in looking at the 12/22 video that your left arm seems to cross more than your right and that your head comes out of the water more when you breathe to the right. I notice this b/c I tend to veer to one side when I'm swimming, and especially using a kickboard--and often to the right. I have a cross-over issue too, and the masters' coach keeps reminding me, 11 o'clock and one o'clock! (i.e. in terms of arm position).
Pull buoy--definitely do some 25s with this. You'll notice the difference in speed. I did. Which led my coach to tell me that body position was my difficulty when swimming without it. He also has me sometimes just using a band around my legs plus paddles. (Yes, he likes to torture me, lol!) At first, I felt like this: :drowning: But I gradually felt more comfortable with the paddle/band work, not that I love it, but I can tolerate it. Core work helps too, such as yoga.
Streamline kick... my coach has advised me to get a snorkel--haven't done that yet, but I expect that'll be the next pool toy I get--he says it will help me to keep the body even while I kick. (Did I mention I hate kick sets--though I had an individual session with him re kicking and other stuff and it helped a lot!)
Oh yeah, individual sessions: the swim instructors might be less helpful than a masters' coach. They know more about how to hone technique for competition. My coach was GREAT when I went to him for a one-on-one session. He had me do various drills and gave me constant feedback to help me improve on the skills we were working on. Once you join the masters swim group, it's worth touching base with the coach re a one-on-one session. Also some coaches offer clinics that are more focused/instructional.
