Instruction Advice

RE: Instruction Advice

swimr4life — Sun, 13 Jul 2003 08:50:55 GMT

It seems like you have a very good instructor. The problem you are having (hips sinking) is very common. It sounds like she gave you some good tips. Try floating face down with your head high. Then try it with your head looking down. You can see for yourself how much your head position effects the rest of your body in the water. It also helps to relax in the water. Try to slow down your arms. Make sure your stroke is long and effective. Another thing that will help your hip level is making sure that your legs don't separate too much vertically when you kick. You want your kick to be fast, "narrow" and close to the surface of the water. Hope this makes sense and helps. SWIMMING IS THE BEST SPORT!!!! Don't give up. You will be amazed at how fast you improve! GOOD LUCK!

RE: Instruction Advice

Former Member — Fri, 11 Jul 2003 15:46:22 GMT

Yes, when you raise your head (or your head is up) your hips will go down... causing you to be less streamlined in the water.

RE: Instruction Advice

Former Member — Fri, 11 Jul 2003 15:13:23 GMT

You're young and swimming is a sport you can do forever. I'd say stick with it...the great thing is with some good instruction, you can make huge progress over the course of a class, or several months if you are swimming a couple times a week - and learning proper technique. If you stick with it, someday you'll be so comfortable in the water that you'll feel like you can swim forever...literally! Let us know how it goes!:)

RE: Instruction Advice

Former Member — Fri, 11 Jul 2003 14:28:41 GMT

Yeah, I sort of figured it would be tough for anyone to have good insight without seeing me swim. Suffice it to say that at this point I'm fairly awful. I just wondered if there was a good way to get advice on how to assess the instruction. I am not sure that swimming is for me - still checking it out - and I want to be careful not to get turned off for the wrong reason. Sometimes people get turned off of new things for the wrong reasons and I just wanted to see if I should be arming myself with some insight. Its probably best for me to ask this type of question with a bit more experience under my belt.

RE: Instruction Advice

Former Member — Fri, 11 Jul 2003 14:16:40 GMT

I think it sounds pretty good. It all depends on where you are starting. But focusing on one primary aspect of your stroke (ie your hips) is good. It's hard to comment further without seeing you swim, but my guess is she's giving you good advice. Does she have a competitive swimming/coaching background? Seems you like her too, so it sounds like a good program for you - good luck! :)