Originally posted by DocWhoRocks
Technique vs. training hard also greatly depends on the event. I've known many good sprinters that their workouts were "less than quality", and their technique is bad - but still would go low 20s. Where as I have never known a good distance swimmer that does not work their butt off and does not have good technique.
For me (LOVE distance) it's a combination of always focusing on good technique - ever single stroke I take - and working my tail off in practice.
What's up Doc?...sorry, I couldn't resist!;) I have to respectfully disagree with you. I think technique is EXTREMELY important to sprinters. You have much less room for error on a 50 or 100 yd swim than you do on a 500 or mile! To be competitive, your start,turn and stroke have to be close to perfect. I am a sprinter and I work very hard at practice. We are all blessed with different abilities (sprint or distance), it doesn't mean that one is better than the other. I also think that good technique takes much less energy than bad technique. Watch an experienced swimmer with good technique versus a beginning swimmer who slaps and fights the water. The new swimmer with bad technique works themselves to death but is not as efficient as the experienced swimmer who has perfected their technique through practice. This is where swimmers get the advantage, it takes MUCH less energy to swim with good technique than with bad. That is why it's so important to do drills and technique work every day.
Originally posted by DocWhoRocks
Technique vs. training hard also greatly depends on the event. I've known many good sprinters that their workouts were "less than quality", and their technique is bad - but still would go low 20s. Where as I have never known a good distance swimmer that does not work their butt off and does not have good technique.
For me (LOVE distance) it's a combination of always focusing on good technique - ever single stroke I take - and working my tail off in practice.
What's up Doc?...sorry, I couldn't resist!;) I have to respectfully disagree with you. I think technique is EXTREMELY important to sprinters. You have much less room for error on a 50 or 100 yd swim than you do on a 500 or mile! To be competitive, your start,turn and stroke have to be close to perfect. I am a sprinter and I work very hard at practice. We are all blessed with different abilities (sprint or distance), it doesn't mean that one is better than the other. I also think that good technique takes much less energy than bad technique. Watch an experienced swimmer with good technique versus a beginning swimmer who slaps and fights the water. The new swimmer with bad technique works themselves to death but is not as efficient as the experienced swimmer who has perfected their technique through practice. This is where swimmers get the advantage, it takes MUCH less energy to swim with good technique than with bad. That is why it's so important to do drills and technique work every day.
