* Edit. This Coach is a very good coach but unfortunately she only coached our club for a few days which is why l wasn't able to speak directly to her. I am thankful that she was able to bring attention to my daughter's problem so that we can try and do something to fix it.
My daughter started squad training 3 years ago and typically trains 2 to 3 sessions per week. Although she doesn't train a lot, she does manage to get State times for her 50 Freestyle and 50 Backstroke.
So this year she has decided to up her training and commit to giving her swimming 100 percent.
Now her issue is... her stroke rate is 38 strokes per minute. (And her new/temporary coach had an absolute fit when she told her to sprint the length of the pool and saw her "slow arms"
The thing is, she keeps pace with the other kids and makes her targets but looks to be in "cruise mode" (like she isn't trying)
This is the first coach to ever pull her up on it and lm at a loss that nobody has mentioned it before. The "temp" coach wants her to swim at least a 58.Is that realistic? Is it possible to change your swimming style that much?Would a swim temp trainer be a good way to get her to move her arms faster or is there another way 🤔
Feeling concerned
Swinfit,
Yes, the article you found is pretty spot on. An important aspect of this is to accept the idea that freestyle technique is not "one size fits all." Your daughter may follow the in the steps of Ian Thorpe and Hans Fassnacht (WR 1500 free in the early 70s) who both have significant catch-up strokes AND powerful outboard engines for legs.
Your daughter needs to understand that her stroke is NOT bad - just self-limiting. She needs an on-deck coach who understands what needs to change and provide consistent, daily feedback and help her manage the frustration of the change not happening after a couple of 50s.
Again, going out on a limb with a suggestion - I would have her experiment with swimming long distances at 70% effort without kicking (use a pull buoy) with an emphasis on more hip and torso rotation. When it looks like she has adjusted to less catch-up, let her try to fit her legs into the stroke instead of her arms fitting into the kick.
Also, playing stroke games is always fun for the kids. Have her try to do 50 strokes in 25 yards, do chicken wing, swim like a water spider, etc.. The better she does at swimming lots of different ways, the better she will become at making changes when the time comes.
Good Luck!
Swinfit,
Yes, the article you found is pretty spot on. An important aspect of this is to accept the idea that freestyle technique is not "one size fits all." Your daughter may follow the in the steps of Ian Thorpe and Hans Fassnacht (WR 1500 free in the early 70s) who both have significant catch-up strokes AND powerful outboard engines for legs.
Your daughter needs to understand that her stroke is NOT bad - just self-limiting. She needs an on-deck coach who understands what needs to change and provide consistent, daily feedback and help her manage the frustration of the change not happening after a couple of 50s.
Again, going out on a limb with a suggestion - I would have her experiment with swimming long distances at 70% effort without kicking (use a pull buoy) with an emphasis on more hip and torso rotation. When it looks like she has adjusted to less catch-up, let her try to fit her legs into the stroke instead of her arms fitting into the kick.
Also, playing stroke games is always fun for the kids. Have her try to do 50 strokes in 25 yards, do chicken wing, swim like a water spider, etc.. The better she does at swimming lots of different ways, the better she will become at making changes when the time comes.
Good Luck!
