I've tried really hard for the past week or so, granted no one ever taught me how to swim freestyle, i tried by observing others and reading here along with books, videos, etc.
So far I've tried- really reach for the light bulb method from one of the DVD forgot the name, where you try to swim on a streamline position, rotate through my hips, elbows high, fingertips dragging along water surface.
My coach told me to try to keep my chin close to my chest and rotate that way - tried that and I drink water.
Sculling and try to pretend that i'm pushing water behind me and pulling myself forward, none of this help.
My stroke count is horrid at 25-26 per 25 meter, and I'm slow as a snail.
Is there anything else I can do? I'm already swimming with the masters class and i am not sure keep pushing myself to do the sets will get me anywhere?
Thanks for letting me rant, but maybe i'm just hopeless?!
Parents
Former Member
I think there is a potential problem with too much advice. Swim on your sides, keep your elbows high, roll with the hips, etc..
TI is one way. People I know who chose it made a commitment to do TI with a TI-certified coach. And they spent many weeks doing the drills (with a coach) to get it right.
I think every tip in this thread has merit and is worth considering. But at an early stage of learning freestyle - I think it is best to focus on basic elements of the stroke. I think your workouts with intervals you can't make (etc.), aren't helping you. You're trying to go fast to keep up, but that limits your ability to truly focus on your stroke. Not making the intervals is frustrating and demoralizating.
One thing that might help you since you have instructional videos to watch - get someone to videotape you swimming freestyle. Have them shoot you from the side, from the front, and from the rear. The front shots should try to show as much of your underwater pull as possible.
Pick one set of advice to rely on for a while. If TI confuses you, don't use it now. Stick to it, avoid the pressure to make intervals you can't make. Get your coach to ease up on you. When you get too tired, your stroke will go to pieces.
I think there is a potential problem with too much advice. Swim on your sides, keep your elbows high, roll with the hips, etc..
TI is one way. People I know who chose it made a commitment to do TI with a TI-certified coach. And they spent many weeks doing the drills (with a coach) to get it right.
I think every tip in this thread has merit and is worth considering. But at an early stage of learning freestyle - I think it is best to focus on basic elements of the stroke. I think your workouts with intervals you can't make (etc.), aren't helping you. You're trying to go fast to keep up, but that limits your ability to truly focus on your stroke. Not making the intervals is frustrating and demoralizating.
One thing that might help you since you have instructional videos to watch - get someone to videotape you swimming freestyle. Have them shoot you from the side, from the front, and from the rear. The front shots should try to show as much of your underwater pull as possible.
Pick one set of advice to rely on for a while. If TI confuses you, don't use it now. Stick to it, avoid the pressure to make intervals you can't make. Get your coach to ease up on you. When you get too tired, your stroke will go to pieces.
