How Michael Phelps swims

Former Member
Former Member
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
  • Phelps' streamlining is also superb. He gets an incredible amount of distance off each wall with a very powerful dolphin kick. He's got to be in incredible condition to stay under for so long throughout a 400 IM. His only weakness, as we saw, is he needs to take out the 100 fly faster. He just couldn't catch Crocker after trailing by so far at the 50.
Reply
  • Phelps' streamlining is also superb. He gets an incredible amount of distance off each wall with a very powerful dolphin kick. He's got to be in incredible condition to stay under for so long throughout a 400 IM. His only weakness, as we saw, is he needs to take out the 100 fly faster. He just couldn't catch Crocker after trailing by so far at the 50.
Children
No Data