Hello USMS, I need some help and pointers.
A little history: 4 years ago I took a beginning swimming lesson with a coach for 2 weeks. At first he tried to teached me front crawl but no matter how hard, I couldn't propel myself foward. Sometime later, he told me that my feet couldn't arch enough to do the kick. So with that, he went ahead and taught me breaststroke. After the lessons, I swam for fun for a few months than I stopped.
Now 4 years later, I am beginning to get back at it. I have been watching videos and reading stroke technique regarding the breaststroke and I am getting much better but I still need to get faster.
Now I have 2 questions for you guys
1. Advice me on stroke technique and drills to strengthen and fasten my breaststroke
2. Are there anyway I can make my feet arch enough so I do the front crawl kick?
Thanks
Total Immersion is a fine way to start,but if your feet are built for breaststroke you don'tneed to change your feet. Go to www.breaststroke.info and get tips in swimming the best stroke.
woohoo muppet! super idea, never even thought of that before...when I was younger they'd tell me to sit in front of the tv, on my ankles, bending them...but I never really did that regularly, because it just isn't natural lol! But, while I was reading through ppl's responses I tried this and well now my ankles definately are feeling the burn of a good stretch! Awesome! Thanks!
Yeah, works pretty good, eh? Knowing that, some doctor will get on here and ream me out for promoting something that isn't good.
I usually do some ankle stretches along with my regular wake-up stretches, but those are mostly 15 wax on's, 15 wax off's.
:banana:
2 - Make the ABCs with your foot. Try to keep your lower leg still. I don't think it matters if you do capital letters or lowercase, but the point is that in all 26 letters, you are stretching out your ankle pretty good. Make sure you do both feet.
:banana:
woohoo muppet! super idea, never even thought of that before...when I was younger they'd tell me to sit in front of the tv, on my ankles, bending them...but I never really did that regularly, because it just isn't natural lol! But, while I was reading through ppl's responses I tried this and well now my ankles definately are feeling the burn of a good stretch! Awesome! Thanks!
woohoo muppet! super idea, never even thought of that before...when I was younger they'd tell me to sit in front of the tv, on my ankles, bending them...but I never really did that regularly, because it just isn't natural lol! But, while I was reading through ppl's responses I tried this and well now my ankles definately are feeling the burn of a good stretch! Awesome! Thanks!
You have to sing out loud while you do this otherwise it doesn't work...
Update.
Well, not really. I have been swimming inconsistently for the past few months but I am planning on changing that. I've been still trying to get down the basics of freestyle but it's ever elusive! I bought a pair of zoomers to help with my kick but as soon as I try to add arm strokes, it just fell apart!
I have a few more questions:
1. I have read from TI that the point of kicking isn't to produce propulsion, but rather maintain a bodyroll. How true does that apply?
2. Are there any stretches that can help my ankle flexibility?
3. Can I still be a successful swimmer even though my body wasn't built for it?
Thanks!
2 - Make the ABCs with your foot. Try to keep your lower leg still. I don't think it matters if you do capital letters or lowercase, but the point is that in all 26 letters, you are stretching out your ankle pretty good. Make sure you do both feet.
3 - Yes. A lot of practice, hard work, dedication and drive can go a long way.
:banana:
Update.
Well, not really. I have been swimming inconsistently for the past few months but I am planning on changing that. I've been still trying to get down the basics of freestyle but it's ever elusive! I bought a pair of zoomers to help with my kick but as soon as I try to add arm strokes, it just fell apart!
I have a few more questions:
1. I have read from TI that the point of kicking isn't to produce propulsion, but rather maintain a bodyroll. How true does that apply?
2. Are there any stretches that can help my ankle flexibility?
3. Can I still be a successful swimmer even though my body wasn't built for it?
Thanks!
3. Can I still be a successful swimmer even though my body wasn't built for it?
Thanks!
Define success.
If you mean being in the top 10, then there are likely some physical and genetic aspects that will be needed in addition to training. Yes, some of us ARE more naturally adept to certain things.
Do you mean being able to swim a mile, or compete in a 200 or 100 yard race.
I think the latter is all on the table for you in time.
Who says your body wasn't built for swimming though?--Scratch that thought or you'll never swim well. (My body wasn't built for certain things that I still did--albeit not to the zenith level but still performed them).
True, you may not be headed to the olympics (but who knows how well you can do until you try?), but with the right approach you should still get yourself into aposition to swim distances that many others do. It starts in belief though--think you'll fail, you probably will. Think you can do it...you may still fail but you'll be closer and it will help you to go and fix the points that need fixing.
The fact you're here and trying obviously means you want this. That's the best thing. Ignore the "you can't do it" brigade.
hopefully the "techs" wil help you on Q 1, I can only offer my support and encouragement for you to keep plugging away!
Ankle stretches I can help you with. Circle ankles slowly inwards and outwards to warm them a bit. Maybe a minute of this. Then, point toes down. Do not curl your toes over like you're gripping that isn't what you want. Feel the stretch from ankle to the bottom toe "knuckle" let the actual toe relax. Hold for a beat, then flex foot so toes point up. Repeat this for 20 to 30 seconds: Count "Down-two, Up-two" etc etc. you can do this while seated and having your leg out. Get your heel off the floor though. DON"T use weights to stretch this area just yet though. If you are strong enough you can proceed to sitting on the floor with your legs staight in front and doing the same exercises...this is beneficial as it brings all the leg muscles into play and get's them used to the stretch.
These are dance's stretches...you can progress in time to knuckling your toes under...but I am not sure you need that sort of motion or strength built into your toes. I'd reccomend any type of real dance class, if you like that sort of thing, as a cross train for flexibility.
Rich
