Well, i am a student at Canisius College in Buffalo, NY that had the football team cut from the athletic program and instead had a swim team and a few other sports put in the program in its place. One day as i was working out in the gym this past september, the coach of the swim team saw me working out and asked me if i wanted to swim. He needed numbers more than anything since the collegiate competitive requirements are 11 participants a team. Mind you i am 5'7", 185 lbs, broad chest and shoulders with large legs. A running back figure. I have never swam before and i agreed to be on the swim team. The coach wants me to swim the 50 and 100 free and i like that for it is a fast twitch race more than slow twitch, and since i am a senior i don't really have time to increase my endurance and slow twitch. I was wondering if any of you had advice for me in my endeavour to become an excellent swimmer by february 2004, and hopefully win an event at the MAAC nationals. In my first meet on Oct. 11, i swam a 27.88 in the 50 free at Duquesne. If you couldn't tell by my hunting for a discussion ring and post, i am very intense and competitive, and am taking this very seriously. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you and hope to have some replies soon!
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Wow, a lot of responses have been posted since my last response. If anything, the interest and support of this discussion forum is very motivating. and don't owrry about negative responses, they only fuel the fire:cool: . and lefty, my coach is telling me to stay off the benching(i need to get flexible:D ) When i first started i couldn't get my arms over my head into a streamlined position. James good luck in canandaigua. Let us know how you do and what you are racing in. gull80, distanc eis definitely NOT going to happen. my endurance running is amazing for a football player(10.5 min 2 mile) but swimming is utilizing so many muscles that i have never really used, or that have never been used in the manner that they are currently being used for swimming. Finally, thanks again to everyone for the support. Now back to a little technique Q&A.
Everyone so far has mentioned upper body technique and different things to look for on the stroke. What about lower body, and kick? is it critical to have a certain form in your lower body? i know you want to keep your legs straight with little knee bend, but i was wondering if there is anything else that is important in the lower body. (i know that i have little flexibility in my ankles and am working on that)
One last question(for now!), how much on my side should i get through the stroke? or should i keep it where it is most comfortable? (But keep in mind i want to go fast and will bare the discomort)
Thanks again everyone and i will check back real soon!
(and welcome my coach if you get the chance!)
Wow, a lot of responses have been posted since my last response. If anything, the interest and support of this discussion forum is very motivating. and don't owrry about negative responses, they only fuel the fire:cool: . and lefty, my coach is telling me to stay off the benching(i need to get flexible:D ) When i first started i couldn't get my arms over my head into a streamlined position. James good luck in canandaigua. Let us know how you do and what you are racing in. gull80, distanc eis definitely NOT going to happen. my endurance running is amazing for a football player(10.5 min 2 mile) but swimming is utilizing so many muscles that i have never really used, or that have never been used in the manner that they are currently being used for swimming. Finally, thanks again to everyone for the support. Now back to a little technique Q&A.
Everyone so far has mentioned upper body technique and different things to look for on the stroke. What about lower body, and kick? is it critical to have a certain form in your lower body? i know you want to keep your legs straight with little knee bend, but i was wondering if there is anything else that is important in the lower body. (i know that i have little flexibility in my ankles and am working on that)
One last question(for now!), how much on my side should i get through the stroke? or should i keep it where it is most comfortable? (But keep in mind i want to go fast and will bare the discomort)
Thanks again everyone and i will check back real soon!
(and welcome my coach if you get the chance!)
