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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As you point out Phelps is "slender" so I think a better term is lean, especially compared to Thorpe. Without his body suit on Thorpe looks "soft" compared to Phelps.
While Phelps "lastest" world record at Nationals in the 200 IM got a lot of press it was his 200 back that impressed me the most. His backstroke is the most technically perfect backstroke I've ever seen in person (I have seen Rouse, Krazyelburg, Peirsol, Welsh, Rick Carey and Dave Berkoff swim. I've not personally seen Roland Mattes but did see him on video). Too bad the Olympic schedule will not allow him to challenge Peirsol and others in this stroke.
Instead I'm willing to bet that Phelps will select the 200 free as his fifth event and that he will win the gold in this event at Athens.
PS: The first Olympic event is exactly one year away (Saturday August 14th).
As you point out Phelps is "slender" so I think a better term is lean, especially compared to Thorpe. Without his body suit on Thorpe looks "soft" compared to Phelps.
While Phelps "lastest" world record at Nationals in the 200 IM got a lot of press it was his 200 back that impressed me the most. His backstroke is the most technically perfect backstroke I've ever seen in person (I have seen Rouse, Krazyelburg, Peirsol, Welsh, Rick Carey and Dave Berkoff swim. I've not personally seen Roland Mattes but did see him on video). Too bad the Olympic schedule will not allow him to challenge Peirsol and others in this stroke.
Instead I'm willing to bet that Phelps will select the 200 free as his fifth event and that he will win the gold in this event at Athens.
PS: The first Olympic event is exactly one year away (Saturday August 14th).
