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.
I have watched the kids at age group practice sit in streamline and the coach times them and challenges them to hold the position each time a little longer. PErhaps as you sit at work, or watch TV, you should practice your streamline. Since you don't have to worry about breathing, and kicking and which lane you are in, you could enhance the flexibility and comfort that way.
I took a one day clinic on turns this summer, and the dolphin kick off the wall was worked on a lot. I was kicking from my hips and knees more than my abs at first. Once I got it right, I knew it, and my abs were sore the next day(me who works my abs everyday constantly outside the water!).
I have watched the kids at age group practice sit in streamline and the coach times them and challenges them to hold the position each time a little longer. PErhaps as you sit at work, or watch TV, you should practice your streamline. Since you don't have to worry about breathing, and kicking and which lane you are in, you could enhance the flexibility and comfort that way.
I took a one day clinic on turns this summer, and the dolphin kick off the wall was worked on a lot. I was kicking from my hips and knees more than my abs at first. Once I got it right, I knew it, and my abs were sore the next day(me who works my abs everyday constantly outside the water!).
