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 !
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Former Member
Phelps does exhibit excellent technique in the backstroke. Holds his head in position throughout the stroke (even better than Lenny K). As you point out he prefers to keep himself in the forward looking ahead position in breaststroke. A technique that has worked for many. His fly is different than most other world class flyers (and differs considerably from Crockers). He keeps his head looking forward and as you noted does not look down. He also breathes one up and one down for both the 100/200. What is most striking when watching him swim in person is how he maintains a straight line from the head to base of spine. He must be very strong to be able to maintain this position. Not surprisingly he follows a Barrowman type of land training technique with very heavy emphasis on core strenghth. In person he looks somewhat lean/skinny compared to some other swimmers (Thorpe) BUT his muscles become very obvious when he moves.
Physcially Phelps is less "mature" than Thorpe at the same age. If he can maintain his mental focus he'll get a lot faster. I wouldn't be surprised if he also exhibit much more speed as he matures.
Phelps does exhibit excellent technique in the backstroke. Holds his head in position throughout the stroke (even better than Lenny K). As you point out he prefers to keep himself in the forward looking ahead position in breaststroke. A technique that has worked for many. His fly is different than most other world class flyers (and differs considerably from Crockers). He keeps his head looking forward and as you noted does not look down. He also breathes one up and one down for both the 100/200. What is most striking when watching him swim in person is how he maintains a straight line from the head to base of spine. He must be very strong to be able to maintain this position. Not surprisingly he follows a Barrowman type of land training technique with very heavy emphasis on core strenghth. In person he looks somewhat lean/skinny compared to some other swimmers (Thorpe) BUT his muscles become very obvious when he moves.
Physcially Phelps is less "mature" than Thorpe at the same age. If he can maintain his mental focus he'll get a lot faster. I wouldn't be surprised if he also exhibit much more speed as he matures.
