Please critique my freestyle and help improve my stroke.
www.youtube.com/watch
Been couple of years or so since I posted a video here, or for that matter, looked at a video of my freestyle. Didn't realize this before, and was horribly surprised! Here is what I noticed.
1. The stretched out arm (that is, the non-breathing side arm) cross over the mid-line. It is almost like the non-breathing side stretches out over the mid-line, to help in the breathing. Terrible! I thought I had fixed this! To my untrained eye I am thinking at least the other side is OK?
2. My legs are all screwy! Used to have a horrible case of scissor legs, even while that seems to be gotten better, however, the legs currently are terribly ungainly and lacks any sense of rhythm. Why is this?
3. Do I roll OK. Am I rolling too much, and consequently, having the wacky leg movement?
4. Please do help identify anything else that ailing my stroke.
Please critique my stroke and suggest some drills I could do to help get over the nasty, inelegant stroke on display. (The last time I had suggestions of learning bilateral breathing for better balance from this forum, and at least I have gotten to do that comfortably)
Thanks for your patience and help.
Venkatesh
I agree with the things you pointed out yourself. There are some who’ll disagree with my assessment, but I see your hand entering the water before your arm is fully extended in the catch. Some swimmers do this, and begin their pull from there. Obviously you wouldn't be getting a maximum pull in that case. Comparatively, think of running, and as you extend your leg out in front for your next stride you don't extend it all the way. In your case, you’re hand is entering the water…THEN you’re extending it the rest of the way…under water. That is counterproductive -- you’re pushing against the oncoming water. In the running comparison, instead of extending your leg out in the air, you drag is across the ground. For a more efficient stroke, you should get a full extension/catch and begin your pull as soon as your hand enters the water.
Dan
I agree with the things you pointed out yourself. There are some who’ll disagree with my assessment, but I see your hand entering the water before your arm is fully extended in the catch. Some swimmers do this, and begin their pull from there. Obviously you wouldn't be getting a maximum pull in that case. Comparatively, think of running, and as you extend your leg out in front for your next stride you don't extend it all the way. In your case, you’re hand is entering the water…THEN you’re extending it the rest of the way…under water. That is counterproductive -- you’re pushing against the oncoming water. In the running comparison, instead of extending your leg out in the air, you drag is across the ground. For a more efficient stroke, you should get a full extension/catch and begin your pull as soon as your hand enters the water.
Dan
