On the backstroke alone, I have a tendency to kick up a lot of water on my upstrokes, tossing a lot of water into my breathing area, restricting the amount of air i get. How do I fix this?
Secondly, in the IMs, I tend to calm down my arms, resulting in minimized water tossing, but I can't breath at all? WTF? What can i do to fix that?
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On a side topic, I swam semi-competiveively about at 9 years old for about a year, which i didn't take very seriously.
Now, I'm 14, and beginnin to get seriosu about it, with school practicie just starting. We had our first time trials today nad I got a 41 on the backstroke (my best time out of the 50s on all strokes). Is that any good? Worth some attention and nurturing?
Parents
Former Member
Backstroke is a great stroke to swim, considering you get to breathe most of your race since you're on your back. However, I understand the splashing in the face problem. Once you have your technique set, the splash will not be a factor. Right now, you could just be riding too deep in the water. I've been a backstroker since I was about 14... it feels so natural to me so I'll give you as many tips as I can.
-I usually do not breathe out of my nose on backstroke... if you can't stand the water getting in your nose, breathe through your mouth and when water splashes in, spit the water out. Some swimmers get noseplugs for backstroke races.
-Keep your head back and don't let it move.
-Keep your hips up!
-Kick, kick, kick... it'll keep your body up!
-Don't forget to work hard on your body rotation... this is so important!
I agree with the previous post, the low 30's are a good place to be to qualify for bigger meets... you are young and have lots of time to get better... work on technique at practice. Once you are faster, your body will ride in the water more efficiently and the splashing will not bother you. I think you said that you were 14... so you're either in 8th grade or high school... what I can tell you from being through that (a little while ago)... is have lots of fun.
Backstroke is a great stroke to swim, considering you get to breathe most of your race since you're on your back. However, I understand the splashing in the face problem. Once you have your technique set, the splash will not be a factor. Right now, you could just be riding too deep in the water. I've been a backstroker since I was about 14... it feels so natural to me so I'll give you as many tips as I can.
-I usually do not breathe out of my nose on backstroke... if you can't stand the water getting in your nose, breathe through your mouth and when water splashes in, spit the water out. Some swimmers get noseplugs for backstroke races.
-Keep your head back and don't let it move.
-Keep your hips up!
-Kick, kick, kick... it'll keep your body up!
-Don't forget to work hard on your body rotation... this is so important!
I agree with the previous post, the low 30's are a good place to be to qualify for bigger meets... you are young and have lots of time to get better... work on technique at practice. Once you are faster, your body will ride in the water more efficiently and the splashing will not bother you. I think you said that you were 14... so you're either in 8th grade or high school... what I can tell you from being through that (a little while ago)... is have lots of fun.
