I have been working on Emmetts advice for a couple of months now and I can feel a big difference in water resistance. I had a big surprise today. The pool is now long course and has switched from yards to meters. If your intersted 100 meters equals 109.4 yards. I had not done a timed 100 free set in a long time but did one today. I was able to do a set of 10X100 meters long course free today with one minute rest in the same time as I did a 100 yard free in the short course pool two months ago. I was very happy. No I am not going to embrass myself by posting the time but I was excited.
Emmett is correct that if you anchor your pull and use the long axis of your body to rotate around it will make a big difference. I have not figured out how to compare stroke counts yet because of the pool differences but I am sure it was less. Now if I could do it ALL the time. Some days I can not hit the right rythmn but I keep trying. I might even have to buy that book by a certain swim coach.
Thanks a lot Emmett for your advice. You are helping me figure out what is missing in my stroke since I got old.
Have a great day
Paul
Parents
Former Member
UK,
Take a look at the USMS Home page and have a look under "Training" and "Articles". You'll find some helpful information about how to better 'anchor' your hand and forearm during the catch phase of the stroke cycle (most are written by Coach Hines).
Anchoring essentially means that the hand should enter the water and stay put, while the swimmer then pulls their entire body past this initial entry point. There are many mental images to describe the phrase....for example, imagine a ladder under the surface of the water. The palm of the hand bears down on a rung and you then pull and push your way past it.
Front quadrant swimming refers a very specific timing in the stroke cycle. As one hand enters the water, it will stay extended and not begin to pull backwards until the recovering arm is about to enter the water itself. It's a "catch-up" style of swimming. Both hands are in the front quadrant as opposed to a someone who swims with hands in opposition...meaning that as on hand enters the water, the other hand is exiting.
The whole benefit to the front quadrant style is that the body line is elongated, which promotes minimal resisatnce. The swimmer tends to remain on their side with their arm extended for the entire recovery phase of the stroke cycle. Sounds a bit complicated, but it's very simple in theory. And thanks to coaches like Emmett there are countless swimmers across the country who are dropping times,.. but most importantly swimming more efficiently and enjoyably. Swimming fast for competition definitely requires hard work. But the basics have to be nailed down first.
:cool:
Reply
Former Member
UK,
Take a look at the USMS Home page and have a look under "Training" and "Articles". You'll find some helpful information about how to better 'anchor' your hand and forearm during the catch phase of the stroke cycle (most are written by Coach Hines).
Anchoring essentially means that the hand should enter the water and stay put, while the swimmer then pulls their entire body past this initial entry point. There are many mental images to describe the phrase....for example, imagine a ladder under the surface of the water. The palm of the hand bears down on a rung and you then pull and push your way past it.
Front quadrant swimming refers a very specific timing in the stroke cycle. As one hand enters the water, it will stay extended and not begin to pull backwards until the recovering arm is about to enter the water itself. It's a "catch-up" style of swimming. Both hands are in the front quadrant as opposed to a someone who swims with hands in opposition...meaning that as on hand enters the water, the other hand is exiting.
The whole benefit to the front quadrant style is that the body line is elongated, which promotes minimal resisatnce. The swimmer tends to remain on their side with their arm extended for the entire recovery phase of the stroke cycle. Sounds a bit complicated, but it's very simple in theory. And thanks to coaches like Emmett there are countless swimmers across the country who are dropping times,.. but most importantly swimming more efficiently and enjoyably. Swimming fast for competition definitely requires hard work. But the basics have to be nailed down first.
:cool:
