Now that I've gone through the hassle of signing up as a member of this dicussion group, this gets more and more fun. Maybe I'll get fired from my job :)
Anyway... I'm sure that ALL Masters level swimmers have heard of Total Immersion (from now on referred to as TI) swimming, correct? What are everyone's opinions about TI swimming? I am most curious because as a coach of age group swimmers, I was looking for training videos for our kids. I happened upon TI and liked what I saw... at first.
Here's some background for my experience with TI... very well put together, most of what they teach has been in existence for some time anyway, and they certainly are good for teaching novice/beginner swimmers the basic technique for swimming.
However, when looking to swim fast, and I mean fast, not lap swim quality, but truly competitively, I thing TI has missed to boat completely. Yes, smooth and efficient swimming is nice, but did anyone see the NCAA's? There are 20 year old men swimming 9 strokes per length in breaststroke! We have a number of age group coaches in my area teaching their kids how to swim breaststroke at 6 or 7 strokes a length!!! What gives? Extended glide is one thing, but when you slow down your stroke to such an extent just to achieve long and fluid strokes you sacrifice speed tremendously.
Hey, if you can swim 9 strokes a length at 1 second per stroke that is WAY better than 6 strokes a length at 2 seconds per stroke. Simple math.
Anthony Ervin of Cal swam the 100 free in the follwing SPL... 12 (start)/15/16/16. I could be off but that's what I was able to get from the (ahem- PALTRY) ESPN coverage. Now TI has goal SPL's of 12/13! Hello, if the BEST sprinter in history takes 8 cycles, shouldn't that tell us something? Turnover is very important. Same with streamlining, yes streamlines are nice and quite important but A.E. pops up after 5 yards MAX out of each turn. You only serve yourself well if your streamline is faster than you can swim, most age group swimmers would be well-served to explode out of the turn and swim within 3-4 yards.
Alas, it's been a slow day finishing my work for the week. Just looking to start a nice discussion. It's been my experience that a lot of Masters level swimmers are also engaged in coaching age group swimming at some level, and therefore I feel we can get some good dialogue going on this issue.
Now I've just used TI as an example because that's what I've had my experience with, but more general is what keys do you all stress when trying to mold competitive swimmers?
Au revoir,
-Rain Man
Parents
Former Member
I think that there a couple of points that everyone would agree on.
1. You first have to learn/be taught how to swim with proper stroke mechanics.
2. To swim faster you have to build up your strength and endurance while maintaining an effective stroke.
This works fine when you are an age grouper. But how does it apply to the Masters swimmer?
I am 45 and swimming as fast as when I was 13. What is the best way to improve to my age 14 times. Given my current condition...strength and endurance. But what is the point? I am swimming to get in "shape", to have fun through competition, because it is easier on my body than running, and because the water feels good. I would guess that 95% of Masters swim for the same reason regardless of whether or not their strokes are efficient or whether or not they are going fast.
Since I began swimming (again) last January I have done my best to learn about all of the advances in swimming. And what has this gotten me? Basically, my stroke is like it was years ago. (with the exception of the backstroke turn) But no matter how much I improve my technique or my strength I'll never be better than a skinny little 14 year old.
So, I'll have fun. Play with some technique, push myself on a set or two, and enjoy the leisurely pace of Masters Swimming.
I think that there a couple of points that everyone would agree on.
1. You first have to learn/be taught how to swim with proper stroke mechanics.
2. To swim faster you have to build up your strength and endurance while maintaining an effective stroke.
This works fine when you are an age grouper. But how does it apply to the Masters swimmer?
I am 45 and swimming as fast as when I was 13. What is the best way to improve to my age 14 times. Given my current condition...strength and endurance. But what is the point? I am swimming to get in "shape", to have fun through competition, because it is easier on my body than running, and because the water feels good. I would guess that 95% of Masters swim for the same reason regardless of whether or not their strokes are efficient or whether or not they are going fast.
Since I began swimming (again) last January I have done my best to learn about all of the advances in swimming. And what has this gotten me? Basically, my stroke is like it was years ago. (with the exception of the backstroke turn) But no matter how much I improve my technique or my strength I'll never be better than a skinny little 14 year old.
So, I'll have fun. Play with some technique, push myself on a set or two, and enjoy the leisurely pace of Masters Swimming.
