RE: USMS Video Library

Former Member — Wed, 16 Mar 2005 09:54:44 GMT

I just watched the "Swim Fast" - Butterfly video with Michael Phelps and Bob Bowman, last night. Interesting. Before watching it I thought I'd get some ideas as to what to improve with my stroke. After watching it I'm more confident that I'm on the right track. There are things I can improve, but I believe strength /power is key for me. Also, he does more butterfly drills than I do. I think I'll concentrate on drills. Last week I video taped my butterfly and it looked pretty good. The differences between his stroke and mine are: I lift my head a slight bit to breath. His neck seems pretty ridged. I think this is an effect of how deep he goes underwater. When he comes up to breath he's at a much steeper angle than me. His hands are further apart than mine at entry. I don't think I'm going to change my entry position. I've tried swimming with them further apart and it's uncomfortable. I don't think it makes that much of a difference in the scheme of things. I hesitate for a moment in my reach. Phelps pulls the moment his hands are in the water. The biggest difference, however, is that his head is only above the water for the brief moment he's pulling. My head is out of the water for the brief moment my hands have completed their stoke and are coming back for recovery. THIS is the one thing I'm certain I have to fix. Again, after watching it - I feel much better about my stroke. I thought it would be a downer, "Ah man, how can I ever swim like that?" After watching it however, I'm thinking, "Actually, technique wise I'm not that far off. Mostly I'm just out of shape."

RE: USMS Video Library

Former Member — Fri, 12 Dec 2003 17:01:32 GMT

And both of the Go Swim items are DVD.