Anyone have any good drills/ideas/thoughts for working on streamlining off the wall? I've been concentrating on increasing the power in the dolphin kicks, but I know I need to work on my streamline, too. I know what I'm supposed to do (head down, squeeze ears with arm muscles, hand over hand, etc.) but find my technique falling apart as I tire during the workout.
I'm not very flexible, and find stretching my arms out to where I squeeze my ears sort of uncomfortable, or at least unnatural feeling, even when I'm fresh. That same position becomes more unnatural feeling as my arm muscles tire. I can hold it OK for a little while when I concentrate, but usually after a couple hundred meters I will "wake up" in a pushoff to find my elbws slightly bent and arms away from my head by a couple of inches, which I know is really inefficient.
I've been trying to just "assume the position" at home periodically, and incorporate it into my warmup stretching. I am self-coached, with no video opportunity -- but I know video would show a crummy steamline. I've watched the eeswim stuff, and can clearly see and visualize what a great streamline looks like, but mine's not there. Any thoughts?
Thanks.
Parents
Former Member
Like the above post, you have to practice, practice, practice! Once you are "there" you will not tire anymore and the streamline will be like second nature to you! It is very easy to forget good streamline, but with enough practice... you'll get it!
Here's my two cents...
-When you are kicking, ditch the kickboard... every time you do a turn (and even when you are kicking), hold that streamline tight! Your muscles just have to get used to being in that "new" position.
-Here's a drill to work on while doing freestyle... after pushing off the wall, stay on your back and kick for 6... turn to your side and kick for 6... turn to your tummy and kick for 6 and then breakout to swim. Hold that streamline like your life depended on it!
-Stretching will help you, keep it up!
:cool:
Like the above post, you have to practice, practice, practice! Once you are "there" you will not tire anymore and the streamline will be like second nature to you! It is very easy to forget good streamline, but with enough practice... you'll get it!
Here's my two cents...
-When you are kicking, ditch the kickboard... every time you do a turn (and even when you are kicking), hold that streamline tight! Your muscles just have to get used to being in that "new" position.
-Here's a drill to work on while doing freestyle... after pushing off the wall, stay on your back and kick for 6... turn to your side and kick for 6... turn to your tummy and kick for 6 and then breakout to swim. Hold that streamline like your life depended on it!
-Stretching will help you, keep it up!
:cool:
