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
His "weakness" of lacking pure speed should be cured with the dvelopment of his muscular system over the next few years. I believe ION pointed out the fact that Thorpe's body was more mature at age 18 than Phelps is now. I agree. I put it at 50/50 that he goes under 50 in the 100 fly by the time it is all over. I even think that he will be on the 400 free relay at the next Olympics.
There is no doubt in my mind that had crocker been in on the 400 free relay the US would have won that relay too.
His "weakness" of lacking pure speed should be cured with the dvelopment of his muscular system over the next few years. I believe ION pointed out the fact that Thorpe's body was more mature at age 18 than Phelps is now. I agree. I put it at 50/50 that he goes under 50 in the 100 fly by the time it is all over. I even think that he will be on the 400 free relay at the next Olympics.
There is no doubt in my mind that had crocker been in on the 400 free relay the US would have won that relay too.
