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
Parents
Former Member
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
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
