Last week while watching the "Duel in the Pool" the US vs Aussie swim meet I noticed that nearly all the flyers were breathing nearly every stroke. I had always been taught to breath every other stroke for 100's. But then I see Michael Phelps (and others) breathing every stroke, except the first one out of the turn and start. And I wonder "what have I been missing ?". Can someone fill me in as to what started this, and what is the thinking behind it.
Parents
Former Member
I was there in person and "most" of the flyers were breathing every other stroke EXCEPT for PHelps who breathed every stroke except for a few strokes in the beginning of his relay leg and he looked like he was "pushing" it.
Phelps is unusual in a lot of respects (strength, mental toughness, etc) and his breathing pattern is the exception.
Probably more important than his breathing pattern is the fact that he keeps his head in line with his spine throughout the stroke. It takes a lot of strength to do that breathing every stroke (most of us have tendency to lift our heads too high on the breathing stroke)--obviously Phelps has a lot of strength.
He also seems to "never" look down--again this takes a lot strenghth. If you look at the Mysty Hyman 200 fly gold record swim she is dropping her head at the end (can't blame her) to keep her hips up and ride home to finish. In Phelps 200 fly he continues to keep his head in line with his spine, doesn't drop his head and breathes every time---that takes incredible strenghth and discipline.
I'd be interested to hear from coaches out there on this approach. My amateur take is that Phelp's approach won't work for most of us BUT it does help to keep the head in a more forward position and NOT look down in the breathing stroke.
I was there in person and "most" of the flyers were breathing every other stroke EXCEPT for PHelps who breathed every stroke except for a few strokes in the beginning of his relay leg and he looked like he was "pushing" it.
Phelps is unusual in a lot of respects (strength, mental toughness, etc) and his breathing pattern is the exception.
Probably more important than his breathing pattern is the fact that he keeps his head in line with his spine throughout the stroke. It takes a lot of strength to do that breathing every stroke (most of us have tendency to lift our heads too high on the breathing stroke)--obviously Phelps has a lot of strength.
He also seems to "never" look down--again this takes a lot strenghth. If you look at the Mysty Hyman 200 fly gold record swim she is dropping her head at the end (can't blame her) to keep her hips up and ride home to finish. In Phelps 200 fly he continues to keep his head in line with his spine, doesn't drop his head and breathes every time---that takes incredible strenghth and discipline.
I'd be interested to hear from coaches out there on this approach. My amateur take is that Phelp's approach won't work for most of us BUT it does help to keep the head in a more forward position and NOT look down in the breathing stroke.
