We work on stroke counts alot over the summer break, I was wondering what a reasonable stroke count is for each of the strokes. I know it depends alot on height, kick off the wall etc.
On an aerobic set (this is short course meters!) I can hold 9-11 on fly (with 6-8kicks off wall), 12-14 on back (with 6-8kicks off wall), 6-7 on breastsroke and 13-15 on freestyle.
Being a freestyler thats the one I concentrate on most. I can swim a 50 in about 34 secs holding 13-14 strokes on an aerobic set, yet when I race (26 for the 50m) I go 18-20 strokes. I know this is alot of difference to the aerobic set, so was wondering whether most swimmers have such a big difference?
I find it really hard (impossible!) to lower my stroke rate whilst going flat out to less than 18/19 strokes. I have chatted to my coach about it and he thinks that it is my optimal stroke rate but I still need to improve my stroke length. Any less strokes than this I end up feeling mechanical and loose my rythm!
Just wondered if anyone had any views on the above!!:D
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I did send you a mail after u put the first post on, but you obviously didnt get it! I thought it was strange that you put another post up and didnt reply to the mail! I apologise, its probably me that mucked up the reply!
So, I will start again, thank you very much for taking the time to reply to my post, the one thing that did really seem to help was watching where my hand enters the water on each length, and doing the same on different speed work.
Have also been working on some "minor" flaws to my stroke which include :
1)lifting my head slightly to breath
2)exiting at the back of my stroke by flicking up which in turn pushes my hips down
3)entering the water slightly elbow down on my left arm, causing a slight dead spot in my stroke
4)rolling my hips to late on both sides (i.e. body rolling after the hand has entered the water not before
5)not kicking enough fullstop!
Apart from that I think my stroke is pretty perfect ha ha. Definitely improving number 3 is helping alot, trying to enter my hand more similar to Popov (best way I could explain it) Have it on my right arm but not my left. It makes me feel like I am gliding from one stroke to the other a lot better like you mentioned in your first post. Only thing is I end up not doing it when I either get tired or I think of one of the other flaws, but my coach keeps reminding me!!!
I did send you a mail after u put the first post on, but you obviously didnt get it! I thought it was strange that you put another post up and didnt reply to the mail! I apologise, its probably me that mucked up the reply!
So, I will start again, thank you very much for taking the time to reply to my post, the one thing that did really seem to help was watching where my hand enters the water on each length, and doing the same on different speed work.
Have also been working on some "minor" flaws to my stroke which include :
1)lifting my head slightly to breath
2)exiting at the back of my stroke by flicking up which in turn pushes my hips down
3)entering the water slightly elbow down on my left arm, causing a slight dead spot in my stroke
4)rolling my hips to late on both sides (i.e. body rolling after the hand has entered the water not before
5)not kicking enough fullstop!
Apart from that I think my stroke is pretty perfect ha ha. Definitely improving number 3 is helping alot, trying to enter my hand more similar to Popov (best way I could explain it) Have it on my right arm but not my left. It makes me feel like I am gliding from one stroke to the other a lot better like you mentioned in your first post. Only thing is I end up not doing it when I either get tired or I think of one of the other flaws, but my coach keeps reminding me!!!
