I'm 38 years old and started swimming for fitness about 3 months ago. I learned basic breaststroke in my late 20s but haven't practiced much back then.
Here is a video of my breaststroke swim.
www.dropbox.com/.../breaststroke 2.MOV
If I sprint, it takes me about 33 seconds for 25m and 2:27 for 100m. I can maintain 2:40 per 100m when I swim long distances like 1000m, without getting tired.
I have two modest goals - Swim 25m in 25 seconds and 100m in 2min. How do I quickly reach these goals? Is my problem my poor technique or lack of strength (I'm skinny)?
Thanks in advance.
Hi there, it's great to see that you are looking to improve your breaststroke! You have received some great tips from the other forumites. Adding to that, here is a link to some breaststroke drills demonstrated by Estonian breaststroker Merle Liivand:
www.youtube.com/watch
Your best course of action would be to find a coach who can monitor your stroke. Beyond that here are three steps towards improving your body position in the breaststroke:
First, start out doing breaststroke kick with a kickboard held in front of you. Be sure that your body position (legs, hips) remains closer to the surface of the water while you are kicking.
Next, you can use either a smaller kickboard or pullbuoy held out in front of you. Continue to kick, making sure to keep your body position horizontal.
Third, you can kick with no support, simply keep your hands extended in front of you in a streamline position.
While you are practicing these drills, you can also practice your breath timing, by lifting your head to take a seamless breath while you are in the process of the kick cycle.
Finally, once you have mastered all of these steps, you can incorporate the pull into your stroke. Start off with a small pull originating from the streamline position, and then gradually increase the pull without your hips dropping and without pausing. By this time, you will have strengthened the muscles needed to keep you horizontal in the water, and will be able to introduce the arms into the stroke.
Best of luck and keep us posted on how you progress!
Hi there, it's great to see that you are looking to improve your breaststroke! You have received some great tips from the other forumites. Adding to that, here is a link to some breaststroke drills demonstrated by Estonian breaststroker Merle Liivand:
www.youtube.com/watch
Your best course of action would be to find a coach who can monitor your stroke. Beyond that here are three steps towards improving your body position in the breaststroke:
First, start out doing breaststroke kick with a kickboard held in front of you. Be sure that your body position (legs, hips) remains closer to the surface of the water while you are kicking.
Next, you can use either a smaller kickboard or pullbuoy held out in front of you. Continue to kick, making sure to keep your body position horizontal.
Third, you can kick with no support, simply keep your hands extended in front of you in a streamline position.
While you are practicing these drills, you can also practice your breath timing, by lifting your head to take a seamless breath while you are in the process of the kick cycle.
Finally, once you have mastered all of these steps, you can incorporate the pull into your stroke. Start off with a small pull originating from the streamline position, and then gradually increase the pull without your hips dropping and without pausing. By this time, you will have strengthened the muscles needed to keep you horizontal in the water, and will be able to introduce the arms into the stroke.
Best of luck and keep us posted on how you progress!
