Hi all,
I finally got a short video made of me swimming freestyle, and it is a major disappointment with a multitude of issues :( I am in my late 30s and usually swim alone at least 2 - 3 times a week, sometimes more. My breaststroke has improved, so the last 9 months or so I have been trying to learn freestyle on my own.
The thing is, I have been really focusing on drills and making sure that I keep my head low with one goggle in the water when breathing. The drill I use the most is kicking on the side with one arm in front. I have to use short fins, since without, I find it quite difficult. When doing this drill, it all feels easy. It feels like I always manage to go straight, keep the head low and one goggle in the water. But then again maybe you can still rotate quite much and believe that one goggle stays in the water. It is of course more difficult without fins, but I thought I had at least some proper head rotation in line with the spine. Another drill I use is single arm freestyle.
Now that I look at the video, it all falls apart :( It seems that I both over-rotate and possibly move the head to the side when breathing. I think I am lifting my head too? I thought I had a bit better rotation to my left side, but it seems as crappy as to the right. Not sure if my arm entry is wide enough either, might be slight cross over there too.
Yes, my posture is not perfect either. I work a lot in front of a computer, but swimming has done wonders for me.
From lurking around, I know people here are very knowledgeable. Thought I would take a chance and ask for some advice on how to improve. I do have plans on doing some one on one sessions with a coach later on. My main focus is technique first, since improvement is my primary passion and it really feels great! My goal is to achieve good swimming technique with some time, even if it requires a lot of work.
Here is a link to the somewhat embarrasing video:
www.youtube.com/watch
I usually use a kickboard the least possible. But yes, I tried a couple of sets last time to improve my kick, and will do it frequently. I do it only with my head submerged.
Btw, I guess not much speed is required to do a proper one goggle breath?
You've gotten some great feedback already. And Elaine is right, you are beating yourself up way more than you need to. You've got a nice stroke where a lot of your basics are already there.
My only advice for looking back more is if the elbow thing isn't clicking, thing about looking towards your armpit (at about 4 o'clock if you thing about 12 o'clock being the way you're heading. This will help force you to keep your head down and one goggle in. Working on your blowing out underwater will help this as well. You just need a slow, steady drain of air so that when you turn to breathe, you're only breathing in (for the most part).
You've got this. Just keep working and studying some of the greats in videos.
Thanks, I have to try the 4 o'clock tip :) Had a session today and really tried to look back more, while still keeping one goggle under water. I tried both looking back a bit more and also about keeping my chin level in the water, with only my nose and mouth out. The best I could do is making sure that one goggle is always submerged and seeing only the underwater part of the pool ledge. The goggle out however, was looking back, but still seeing part of the roof. I managed to get air, but also more water in my mouth. Had to be much more conscious about moving my mouth a bit upwards. This will of course require a lot more practice, and as mentioned, getting better at breathing out. I might try the tennis ball trick to get a better feeling.
Also tried reaching more forward for some laps at the end, and I think that's quite important too. Once again, thanks for all the great advice :)
