the mystery of breaststroke

This link is a bit dated. But the technique tips are still relevant. My breastroke was the weakest link to a good IM time. This helped. ...it's written by Mr. T by the way. www.breaststroke.info/grotebreast.htm

Fort, avoid it at all costs. Avoid IM, too. Stick to the other three strokes until I am named Supreme Ruler of the World and I change that breaststroke rule ... the one about it having to be swum in the IM ... I'll still let the crazy people like Rich, Alan, and Wayne swim it ... ATTEMPT In comparison to those guys!

glad you found it funny you announced an intention so I was just checking to see how you were doing on your follow through you know that thing about talk vs action private lessons might work, the 100 IM strategy is way different than the 200 IM strategy you pretty much need to go for it in the 100 you need to be a bit more reserved in the 200 and very in control on the 400 it's good you have a secret nemisis ride the glide ande Very funny, Ande. Very funny. :joker: The project is not going well. I think I'm getting worse. If it's possible. It probably is despite all the fabulous advice I received. I try to keep it in mind when I swim, but so far to no avail. I think I need individual help like Tyler Blessing. My teammate Wally Dicks is not helping out enough. I'll have to get a private lesson. There are no breaststrokers on my team to speak of. A lot of backstrokers who all hate breaststroke. My coach hates breaststroke too. We're just a big happy no-breaststroking kind of USMS family. I also have utterly ignored your advice about IMs. :joker: I just take my 100 IM out as fast as I reasonably can the first 50 (once I went out in 29.8) and then I just hang on and pray. This tactic seems to work reasonably well. Happy to report that I just beat my secret nemesis this way in December in SCM. Fortunately, she can't do backstroke, and couldn't catch up. I have witnesses. In fact, at this rate, everyone is going to know who my secret nemesis is, thanks to your advice to get one, and she will not be "secret" anymore. I hope those that know her identity will keep the silence! You know who you are. Or I will be an ogre again. My new approach to breaststroke is to wait for FlyQueen to be named Supreme Dictator of the World. :banana: :banana: :banana: :woot: Or, I will have to take myself off to a real breaststroke clinic. I can't even get lessons from the rude hormonal one. She doesn't believe in constructive criticism, just criticism, e.g., "Mommy, I'm 5 seconds faster in the 50 *** than you," etc. Who needs that? :dedhorse:

Happy to report that I just beat my secret nemesis this way in December in SCM. Fortunately, she can't do backstroke, and couldn't catch up. I have witnesses. In fact, at this rate, everyone is going to know who my secret nemesis is, thanks to your advice to get one, and she will not be "secret" anymore. I hope those that know her identity will keep the silence! You know who you are. Or I will be an ogre again. I am accepting all bribes :2cents: :drink: :2cents: to reveal the secret identity. Now whether or not I actually know said identity or will reveal the right name.... :dedhorse: :dedhorse:

I am accepting all bribes :2cents: :drink: :2cents: to reveal the secret identity. Now whether or not I actually know said identity or will reveal the right name.... :dedhorse: :dedhorse: I know you know said identity. I know you know why. That would be real mean. I would have to make you do a 850 free again. And I would not cheer for you in your races with you know who and you would know why. Now, if you want to reveal a "name" that is not you know who, then you should feel free to make up a you know who. You know? P.S. I do not have a secret nemesis in breaststroke. But maybe I should pick Kyra/SeaGurl. P.S.S. Ande: I am not all talk and no action. It's just the action doesn't seem to be producing a reaction. I guess maybe even more action is needed.

This may do more harm than good, but it sounds like things are pretty bad already so it could be worth a shot........ I learned breaststroke with a frog kick rather than the whip kick, but knowing frog made it easier to switch. I teach swimming lessons and kids can't seem to understand whip kick, but they always catch on to frog. Anyways....my point.... Frog kick...bring your feet towards your bum with the bottoms of your feet together, knees out. Then straighten your legs, feet turned out. Snap your legs together, and while doing so point your toes so that when you ankles hit your toes are pointed. Keeping your feet flexed the whole time takes you absolutely nowhere no matter how hard you snap. I learned it, Frog. Airplane. Solider. As you get better at this then work on keeping your knees closer together and working with just the knees down except for a good snap together. I could be totally wrong, but it worked for me. Just my :2cents: Good Luck!! p.s. I'd love to be your "secret" nemisis....*evil laugh*

This may do more harm than good, but it sounds like things are pretty bad already so it could be worth a shot........ I learned breaststroke with a frog kick rather than the whip kick, but knowing frog made it easier to switch. I teach swimming lessons and kids can't seem to understand whip kick, but they always catch on to frog. Anyways....my point.... Frog kick...bring your feet towards your bum with the bottoms of your feet together, knees out. Then straighten your legs, feet turned out. Snap your legs together, and while doing so point your toes so that when you ankles hit your toes are pointed. Keeping your feet flexed the whole time takes you absolutely nowhere no matter how hard you snap. I learned it, Frog. Airplane. Solider. As you get better at this then work on keeping your knees closer together and working with just the knees down except for a good snap together. I could be totally wrong, but it worked for me. Just my :2cents: Good Luck!! p.s. I'd love to be your "secret" nemisis....*evil laugh* I have no clue what my kick looks like LOL. I just do it how I always did. I draw my knees up pointing out from the hip not directly facing the bottom of the pool. It would be interesting for me to get some solid coaching on the stroke to break it down and see if I could tighten it up...ah well that's for the next project...right now I'm focusing on streamline and arching on my breath not so much tossing my head...it's good until the 3rd 50 of the 200...I start to go ragged but then I get it back under control a bit...weird really.

I have no clue what my kick looks like LOL. I just do it how I always did. I only know what mine looks like because my coach looked at me one day and said "What on earth kind of kick is that?!"

I too am struggling with my breastroke, which by compromised shoulder default is currently my best stroke. Having learned and competed breastroke in the late 60's/early 70's my flat and long stroke is way behind the times. I've worked at the new (new to me anyway since getting back in the water) wave-style stroke and am having an itty-bitty bit of success--long way to go though. What I wonder as I read thru this and other threads about breastroke is what are some of everyone's times! Is it a no-no to ask such a question on the forum? :confused: If so, please forgive me :bow:; if not what times does everyone swim their 50, 100 & 200 breastroke in? My 50 is about :41; 100 @ 1:33 and my 200 -- I'd rather not say. My hope is to have my 50 under 38 and my 100 under 1:28 by Nationals 2008 provided I am actually able to train for most of this next year injury free! I guess age is somewhat a factor in regards to time--I'm 51. I really have learned alot from everyone's comments and various article links. Thanks!

I only know what mine looks like because my coach looked at me one day and said "What on earth kind of kick is that?!" This begs the question - how many of us have seen ourselves swim? I think I am going to start another thread... or maybe if i have a minute, I can pull a fortress and find an old version of this thread idea...