After the I.M. thread and watching my daughter at her meet I got to wondering if being good at certain strokes has anything to do with heredity. If you read the I.M. thread you know that I am terrible at the breaststroke. Today my daughter had to do the 100 I.M. She was second after the fly and doing the backstroke. She had at least a 1/4 of a pool length on the two swimmers behind her. All the parents around me were commenting on how good she looked. I told them to wait and see what happens on the breaststroke. What do you know the two swimmers behind her caught her and past her on the breaststroke. She dropped down to fourth place. Is she destined to be a terrible breaststroker like me? Keep in mind that she has always done lessons at the Y and not with me.
Parents
Former Member
Hmmmmmm... let me think about it.
I definately breathe on the first stroke. I need to work on that. I guess I do it because I always feel like I am desparate for air at that point. I probably just need to force myself to hold it for another stroke. In time, it should become easier.
I paced it off one time, and it was about 8-9 yards where I came up for the first breath. Maybe I'm not getting everything I can out of my pushoff. Maybe I pull down too soon and then start to stroke too soon.
One problem I have is that after the start and then the first turn, I can no longer pull down and get an effective kick before breaking the surface - I am just gassed and need a breath.
And of course "effective kick" is relative for me. I don't have an explosive kick at all. More like a fire cracker as opposed to a stick of dynamite.
Unfortunately, I am self coached - which is an oxymoron. Wayne, if you are ever in the Philly area, I'd love to have just one workout worth of tips. I'll buy the wings and beer afterwards!:)
Hmmmmmm... let me think about it.
I definately breathe on the first stroke. I need to work on that. I guess I do it because I always feel like I am desparate for air at that point. I probably just need to force myself to hold it for another stroke. In time, it should become easier.
I paced it off one time, and it was about 8-9 yards where I came up for the first breath. Maybe I'm not getting everything I can out of my pushoff. Maybe I pull down too soon and then start to stroke too soon.
One problem I have is that after the start and then the first turn, I can no longer pull down and get an effective kick before breaking the surface - I am just gassed and need a breath.
And of course "effective kick" is relative for me. I don't have an explosive kick at all. More like a fire cracker as opposed to a stick of dynamite.
Unfortunately, I am self coached - which is an oxymoron. Wayne, if you are ever in the Philly area, I'd love to have just one workout worth of tips. I'll buy the wings and beer afterwards!:)
