Hey folk,
I've heard different viewpoints about my freestyle, and I wonder if I could hear from you on these various opinions:
1. Previous masters' coach: focus on high elbows, fingertips in first. (I hope I'm interpreting him right.)
2. Same coach: kick from hips, not knees (hard one... my kickboard sets are not pretty!)...
3. Swim instructor who happened to observe me one day: too much splash on kick (maybe related to #2)
4. Guy who swims pretty fast and efficiently in nearby lane: "You have a strong kick, but you don't reach far enough. Your hand goes into the water too soon." Tried more of a reach, and it did seem to help my time a little... read: VERY slow to merely "very slow" (sans caps). ;)
5. Current masters' coach: "If you've been swimming a certain way for a while, it actually could slow you down to mess with your stroke too much."
And... can a person who is still in pursuit of a sub two minute 100 have any hope of becoming not "very slow" but merely "slow" or even "halfway approaching fast"? I'm 55 and a regular runner as well as swimmer, so reasonably fit (resting heart rate of 31 measured a couple of days ago).
Thanks for your comments!
Parents
Former Member
I'm disappointed to hear that your Master's Coach does not want to help you change your stroke. Old habits die hard, but they can die.
First, lose the kickboard and do the kick sets without on your side, nose pointed down. When you need to breath take a stroke and switch to the other side.
Second, do more pull sets without kicking or only using a small 2-beat kick. Focus on the efficiency of your arms. When your arm enters the water, stretch it out all the way in front of you aoubt 3 inches under the water.
Practice breathing bilaterally. One every three strokes, every other side. It helps to keep the work load even for both arms and shoulders and will help with your stroke.
Practice one thing at a time. For example, on Monday, focus only on fully extending your arm before you pull down. Then on Tuesday focus on something else.
Practice, practice, practice. You can do it!!!
I'm disappointed to hear that your Master's Coach does not want to help you change your stroke. Old habits die hard, but they can die.
First, lose the kickboard and do the kick sets without on your side, nose pointed down. When you need to breath take a stroke and switch to the other side.
Second, do more pull sets without kicking or only using a small 2-beat kick. Focus on the efficiency of your arms. When your arm enters the water, stretch it out all the way in front of you aoubt 3 inches under the water.
Practice breathing bilaterally. One every three strokes, every other side. It helps to keep the work load even for both arms and shoulders and will help with your stroke.
Practice one thing at a time. For example, on Monday, focus only on fully extending your arm before you pull down. Then on Tuesday focus on something else.
Practice, practice, practice. You can do it!!!
