These are my observations on the techique of Michael Phelps, the 1st " Modern swimmer" for all 4 strokes. He is swimming using the most " cutting edge " of techniques on all 4 strokes.
Free: Looks like 'Popov', same stroke rythym, " Gallop" in stroke, Bent arm recovery, Shoulder shifting forward ( not dropping shoulder) and underwater phases of pull show principles of " Australian Crawl". He also has a very smooth Hand entry, hand almost flat.
Back: Head lies lower in the water, eyes looking up, very still head. Just like 'Krazyleburg'. Shoulder shifted back, horizontal to the water on entry - catch, no dropped shoulder here.
***: Head held in ' neutral ' position, eyes looking at a fixed point ahead, Head does not shift position. His head does not 'bob' up and down, which is 'old style'.
Fly: Head position "same as above" does not 'raise head up and jut chin forward' ( Old style). Hand entry wider than shoulder, immediate catch and into the pull, timing characteristics of "front end fly".
To sum up, Phelps swims all 4 strokes using the best technique shown by World beaters. Free as Popov, Back as Krazyleburg etc. He will dominate his events until someone comes along who is also using " best technique" in each stroke.
Who is coaching Phelps? This is a coach who is ensuring that he is "up to date " with latest technique and is learning from the best so that " His swimmer can be the best". That I Admire !
Parents
Former Member
For the record, it's Bob Bowman who coaches Michael, amongst others. The club is the North Baltimore Aquatics Club in Northern Baltimore City. NBAC is a one of the largest aquatics clubs in the Baltimore metropolitan area.
For those who are interested, there are numerous articles and pictures of Michael in the Baltimore Sunpapers. For those who might be interested in reading about Phelps from a local point of view, see www.sunspot.net There are some great pictures there, too.
For the record, it's Bob Bowman who coaches Michael, amongst others. The club is the North Baltimore Aquatics Club in Northern Baltimore City. NBAC is a one of the largest aquatics clubs in the Baltimore metropolitan area.
For those who are interested, there are numerous articles and pictures of Michael in the Baltimore Sunpapers. For those who might be interested in reading about Phelps from a local point of view, see www.sunspot.net There are some great pictures there, too.
