Since I am sort of forced to swim alone rather than on a master's team this summer I often end up swimming after/before/next to someone who has horrible technique. I'm not nitpicking here, but I'm talking about dragging legs, barely getting arms out of the water, and nearly stopping to breathe on freestyle, or arms that kind of lazily flop down during the backstroke.
The question is, if you see someone doing something like that do you offer help with their stroke / or pointers?
Currently, I don't. But I'm somewhat torn. I don't want to sound arrogant and like I know everything, or to hurt someone's feelings, but I can't help thinking how much less energy these people would expend, and how much more success they would have swimming if they swam correctly. So, what do you do?
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Former Member
I get asked allogf the time. And i also give unsolicited advice. Yesterday, I gave some pointers & soem drills to a guy who didn't learn to swim until he was inhis 30's. His hand placement is terrible. He is a triath. and his swimming has improved remarkably. He told me that swimming wasn't realy his major interest that he thought he did the worst on bike. He is probably right. The longest swim he has ever done in competition is 800 yds. I once told him why bother to swim at all.
Usually, I start both by saying how improved they are. There are only three to five people who swim at my pool who are long-time swimmers. I get all types of questions. I don't always know the answers. One lady asked me if I coudl see something wrong with her stroke so that her elbow wounldn't hurt so much. I almost said "where do I begin." I realized that would destroy her.
I get asked allogf the time. And i also give unsolicited advice. Yesterday, I gave some pointers & soem drills to a guy who didn't learn to swim until he was inhis 30's. His hand placement is terrible. He is a triath. and his swimming has improved remarkably. He told me that swimming wasn't realy his major interest that he thought he did the worst on bike. He is probably right. The longest swim he has ever done in competition is 800 yds. I once told him why bother to swim at all.
Usually, I start both by saying how improved they are. There are only three to five people who swim at my pool who are long-time swimmers. I get all types of questions. I don't always know the answers. One lady asked me if I coudl see something wrong with her stroke so that her elbow wounldn't hurt so much. I almost said "where do I begin." I realized that would destroy her.
