OK...it appears I may be somewhat dated in my thinking regarding the optimal head position for freestyle. I have always used the 'where the water meets the hairline is the correct head position'...of course that's assuming you have a hairline. I have noticed this Phelps kid (man, he's quick) lowers his head in the freestyle.
Can someone shed some light on the correct psoition or is it one of those 'it depends' answer.
WOW!! Thanks for the quick lessons...I have been converted!!
LK 1/16/04 2:35 PM EST
Parents
Former Member
The lack of forward visibility is a big problem ! I keep trying to get the kids that i teach to look downwards. However their sense of safety takes over. They want to see where they are going !
When they have more experience in the water, they will gain the confidence to trust that they will be OK.
The rule i follow is head in neutral position throughout all of the strokes. This would be between the crown of the head and half way up the forehead in most people. Head looks down throughout breaststroke and Fly, laid back in Backstroke.
The latest issue of "swimming technique" showed Michael Phelps and talked about his lower head position (eyes looking down).
This article was by Cecil Colwin, who seems to have come around to the lower head position thing. Only last year in his latest book he advocated head raised up so that you can see your hand enter the water as an ABSOLUTE fundamental.
There is some variation, based on individual bouyancy, centre of mass, etc. The aim is for the body to be as horizontal as possible.
For instance females tend to have higher bouyancy (especially if large busted) and if the head is not lifted slightly then there is not enough depth of water to give enough purchase for their kick.
Most males are the the opposite and a lower head position helps them more, especially if they have large leg muscles (cyclists).
I think that "lefty" ( head down 45' ) may be misleading. For a lot of people this would be too low. This position could lead to your eyes looking behind you when you turn to breath. If you are doing this then you are tilting off the centre line. You head position " vis a vis ' the longitudinal axis to stay the same as you swim.
I would say to experiment to find your own optimum head position. For myself i look downwards and forwards at a spot 1 metre in front of me in Freestyle. In fly i look straight downwards.
The lack of forward visibility is a big problem ! I keep trying to get the kids that i teach to look downwards. However their sense of safety takes over. They want to see where they are going !
When they have more experience in the water, they will gain the confidence to trust that they will be OK.
The rule i follow is head in neutral position throughout all of the strokes. This would be between the crown of the head and half way up the forehead in most people. Head looks down throughout breaststroke and Fly, laid back in Backstroke.
The latest issue of "swimming technique" showed Michael Phelps and talked about his lower head position (eyes looking down).
This article was by Cecil Colwin, who seems to have come around to the lower head position thing. Only last year in his latest book he advocated head raised up so that you can see your hand enter the water as an ABSOLUTE fundamental.
There is some variation, based on individual bouyancy, centre of mass, etc. The aim is for the body to be as horizontal as possible.
For instance females tend to have higher bouyancy (especially if large busted) and if the head is not lifted slightly then there is not enough depth of water to give enough purchase for their kick.
Most males are the the opposite and a lower head position helps them more, especially if they have large leg muscles (cyclists).
I think that "lefty" ( head down 45' ) may be misleading. For a lot of people this would be too low. This position could lead to your eyes looking behind you when you turn to breath. If you are doing this then you are tilting off the centre line. You head position " vis a vis ' the longitudinal axis to stay the same as you swim.
I would say to experiment to find your own optimum head position. For myself i look downwards and forwards at a spot 1 metre in front of me in Freestyle. In fly i look straight downwards.
