I am trying to improve my freestyle. I have been working on balance,timing,counting strokes.
When watching videos of world classs swimmers, I noticed that on swimmers like Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte, that their arm in the water is fully extended(straight) and angled below the corresponding shoulder. It looks as though the arm that is about to catch the water is angled to where it points towards where the pool wall and pool bottom meet. Not pointed directly down but not pointed directly straight out from the shoulder to the wall.
It seems like most of the best freestylers have their extended arms pointed below their bottom shoulder at an angle before the pull. This also appears to only happen once they have finished the rotation to that side.
Has anyone else noticed this or am I way off?
Thanks,
David
One of the interesting things to me is how very different we all are in how "connect" to various terminology. In reading all of Terry's posts over the last month or so I'd have to say that the vast majority of the metaphors/explanations he uses resonate fo me.
Effortless: Rather than "attack" this phrase, scoff at or dismiss I'd think people who have interest in geting better would explore it. I know that for myself and every elite swimmer I've ever spoken with this is a sensation that thy felt when the had theyre absolute best swims.....it is often however refered to as being in the zone. When I have been there....it was not without effort...in fact it was with just intense effort that I was almost physically ill afterwards.....however in the race the sensation was incredible and indeed had elemants of being effortless.....
Weigth shift: Something that several very respected college coaches I know have described in a lightly differnet way but still the same thing. I focused more on it this morning and found that yes indeed....the "length" that I acheive in both free and back is an actual subtle shift deriving from my hips and creating a "reach" that gives th appaearnce of catch up free. I tried to think in terms of weight shift in water vs. on land and the sensation to me of free/back was most similar to hitting a volleyball over a blocker....elevation, extension and hip/shoulder/arm drive thru....
Hand Anchoring: again misleading if interpreted "literally" but in my case for fly/free (haven't gotten there ith back yet...but working on it)...it is an absolutey accurate analogy.....my sensation is that I swim thru my hand vs. drive my hand thru.....when in reality there is absolute force being generated...the "plant" that takes place is actually in motion but the appearance and sensation is what Terry describes.
I do question everything and in TI still have some things I'm not sure about....but I can't deny that what I "hear" on many of these descriptions from Terry is what I see in myself.
Matt Shirely.....I know you've fallen off your chair in reading this because of all the good debates you and I have had...!! :thhbbb:
One of the interesting things to me is how very different we all are in how "connect" to various terminology. In reading all of Terry's posts over the last month or so I'd have to say that the vast majority of the metaphors/explanations he uses resonate fo me.
Effortless: Rather than "attack" this phrase, scoff at or dismiss I'd think people who have interest in geting better would explore it. I know that for myself and every elite swimmer I've ever spoken with this is a sensation that thy felt when the had theyre absolute best swims.....it is often however refered to as being in the zone. When I have been there....it was not without effort...in fact it was with just intense effort that I was almost physically ill afterwards.....however in the race the sensation was incredible and indeed had elemants of being effortless.....
Weigth shift: Something that several very respected college coaches I know have described in a lightly differnet way but still the same thing. I focused more on it this morning and found that yes indeed....the "length" that I acheive in both free and back is an actual subtle shift deriving from my hips and creating a "reach" that gives th appaearnce of catch up free. I tried to think in terms of weight shift in water vs. on land and the sensation to me of free/back was most similar to hitting a volleyball over a blocker....elevation, extension and hip/shoulder/arm drive thru....
Hand Anchoring: again misleading if interpreted "literally" but in my case for fly/free (haven't gotten there ith back yet...but working on it)...it is an absolutey accurate analogy.....my sensation is that I swim thru my hand vs. drive my hand thru.....when in reality there is absolute force being generated...the "plant" that takes place is actually in motion but the appearance and sensation is what Terry describes.
I do question everything and in TI still have some things I'm not sure about....but I can't deny that what I "hear" on many of these descriptions from Terry is what I see in myself.
Matt Shirely.....I know you've fallen off your chair in reading this because of all the good debates you and I have had...!! :thhbbb:
