I am by no means a natural backstroker (my backstroke is my slowest stroke by a good 2-3 seconds per 50m). I have now twice swum a 5K open water swim breaststroke and have decided to do the same swim next year backstroke. (Why? because I can't yet swim a 5K fly and freestyle bores me. :)
So...
1. When I swim back, I find I want to breathe in time with my arms. I generally breathe out every time an arm hits the water. This obviously leads to a nearly panting breathing rhythm. I am a musician in my spare time and find that breathing at a natural rhythm in my backstroke makes my arms want to line up with that rhythm (thereby getting slower). How do backstrokers breathe, anyhow?
2. What should the pull be like underwater?
3. What one thing is likely to improve my speed? (I know you haven't seen me swim backstroke, but picture a graduate of a typical 'learn to swim' program and you're pretty much accurate. :)
Thanks,
Heather, wannabe backstroker (up to 800m continuous backstroke)
Parents
Former Member
It does matter to me when I breath because as i am reaching back, my face goes under water. Look at many top backstrokers, there are times when they will duck their heads. Quick says that there arre times when you shouldn't be able to tell when some one is swimmign back for free.
I was once told that the most important thing about back stroke is don't hit your head.
It does matter to me when I breath because as i am reaching back, my face goes under water. Look at many top backstrokers, there are times when they will duck their heads. Quick says that there arre times when you shouldn't be able to tell when some one is swimmign back for free.
I was once told that the most important thing about back stroke is don't hit your head.
