In Cecil Colwin's book "Breakthrough Swimming," the author writes that in freestyle the swimmer should "SEE THE HAND ENTER BEFORE TURNING THE HEAD TO BREATHE." He makes this point several times and refers to it as "a stroke fundamental."
Is there general agreement that this is correct? Should you actually be able to see your forward hand enter the water before turning (rotating) to breathe?
I understand that Coach Colwin is making a point that some swimmers have a tendancy to breathe too early in the stroke, but it seems to me that if you try see your hands as they enter and extend just under the surface, you must look upward, your head position then becomes too far forward and out out of alignment with your body.
Does anyone have any experience with this or an opinion about it?
Parents
Former Member
Bearcat,
I have had the same problem and found it difficult to carry out what Cecil Colwin said.My way of dealing with it has been to wait until I feel my fingertips entering the water in front of my head.Then, when that happens,I slightly roll my head to the side to breathe.I always try to make sure that I have one goggle in the water so that I don't roll my head too much.:cool:
Bearcat,
I have had the same problem and found it difficult to carry out what Cecil Colwin said.My way of dealing with it has been to wait until I feel my fingertips entering the water in front of my head.Then, when that happens,I slightly roll my head to the side to breathe.I always try to make sure that I have one goggle in the water so that I don't roll my head too much.:cool:
