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?
Former Member
.... rolled way too much and should keep my body very flat and only turn my head to breath. I thanked him for his insights.
Maybe you should have asked him to time you for a couple of laps. ;)
Like most people posted ...I'll offer tips, but only if asked.
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 never offer advice but I have had advice offered to me by others and it usually sucks. The last time it occured a guy suggested that I not keep my head so low in the water. He said that if I look towards the end of the pool it will cause my body to plane up and out of the water thereby reducing drag. I simply thanked him and went about my regular methods. If I were to offer advice solely about dropped elbows I would have to speak to half of the pool so why even bother?
Originally posted by ande
You can also offer to hire an elite swimmer or coach
for a private lesson.
broke college students are often happy to help and get paid
ande
That sounds like a potential NCAA violation to me!
For those considering initiating this conversation in the other direction (asking a "power swimmer" for advice, instead of the initial question asked in this thread) I recommend one thing to consider.
Please don't physically stop the "power swimmer" to ask for help. Wait until the "power swimmer" is done with his/her workout. Even if that power swimmer is stopped between reps, s/he may only be planning to stop for 10 seconds, and your interruption will likely take longer that that -- even just to tell you to wait till later. Further, that swimmer is likely in a mental "zone" of concentration that your interruption would shatter.
Usually you can tell when s/he is done. (Or catch him/her before s/he starts.) If he gets out of the pool, that's a good guess. Or maybe she takes off her cap and is chatting with a lane mate. In the shower is also a good guess. Even safer, in the parking lot.
I'm a poor college student! Oooh ooh pick me! Hahah...
Guvnah made a good point about when to ask people about stroke technique, but it kind of made me laugh because it made us more "serious" swimmers sound like some form of wild animal. Look out! There goes a power swimmer! Duck for cover!
Originally posted by knelson
That sounds like a potential NCAA violation to me!
I think you are right. I know a girl who was a cheerleader at SUIE. She got a scholarship for. She was also teaching gymnastics at a gym. She got in a lot of trouble.
Hey IndyGal,
How do you do 150IMs?
Originally posted by IndyGal
Personally, I'd love unsolicited advice from the "power swimmers" at my pool. I'm usually too intimidated to introduce myself and ask for pointers. I don't think you guys know how hard it is for a novice to come in and stake out a lane next to someone who's in the middle of, say, 6 x 150 on 2:30 IMs.
