Hi, I'm a 42 year old man and learned free style swimming last year. Recently I started to use a pull buoy in hope to gain a better sense of proper body position. However I found it extremely challenging for me that I almost couldn't swim at all but rather drifting in the water.
I feel I couldn't rotate at all with a pull buoy between my thighs. Therefore I cannot get a proper catch and also I have difficulty turning to breathe ( sometimes I have to press water with a one arm in order to get my mouth above the surface of water).
Is it something I'm not doing this right? Or it's just my body not flexible enough and it will get better if I keep trying it?
Thanks.
Pull buoys will not help you with body position as they artificially raise your lower body. Furthermore, exactly as you have experienced, they inhibit rotation, and disconnect your legs, core and upper body. I'd recommend not using a buoy.
I would tend to agree. I'll use a pull buoy for some sculling and pulling drills, but it's just crutch if you're using it to improve your body position. There are other body alignment and core drills that will help more.
One of my favorites is three full strokes followed by 6-10 kicks with the leading armed extended and the trailing against your side; it lets you focus on both body line and rotation. An added benefit is helping you work on developing your bilateral breathing.
Pull buoys will not help you with body position as they artificially raise your lower body. Furthermore, exactly as you have experienced, they inhibit rotation, and disconnect your legs, core and upper body. I'd recommend not using a buoy.
I would tend to agree. I'll use a pull buoy for some sculling and pulling drills, but it's just crutch if you're using it to improve your body position. There are other body alignment and core drills that will help more.
One of my favorites is three full strokes followed by 6-10 kicks with the leading armed extended and the trailing against your side; it lets you focus on both body line and rotation. An added benefit is helping you work on developing your bilateral breathing.
