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
Bill,
I'm not very flexible, and find stretching my arms out to where I squeeze my ears sort of uncomfortable is very common.
You may never be able to stretch enough without help to be comfortable. Read my article "Stretching my way to a National Championship" you can Google search for that title or go to www.breaststroke.info.
My good friend designed many things, but the ROM strap was one that worked for me. I use the Range Of Motion strap every time I swim, with several minutes of use I can be very comfortable off the walls. My streamline is VERY good, because of the stretching with the ROM strap. I often push off and go 15-16 yards on a breaststroke pushoff. At least a body length further on a fly and freestyle than others in my lane. It is easy and fun speed.
I often say " Thank you Marty Hull"!
Bill,
I'm not very flexible, and find stretching my arms out to where I squeeze my ears sort of uncomfortable is very common.
You may never be able to stretch enough without help to be comfortable. Read my article "Stretching my way to a National Championship" you can Google search for that title or go to www.breaststroke.info.
My good friend designed many things, but the ROM strap was one that worked for me. I use the Range Of Motion strap every time I swim, with several minutes of use I can be very comfortable off the walls. My streamline is VERY good, because of the stretching with the ROM strap. I often push off and go 15-16 yards on a breaststroke pushoff. At least a body length further on a fly and freestyle than others in my lane. It is easy and fun speed.
I often say " Thank you Marty Hull"!
