The latest threads clearly reveal that the vast majority of masters swimmers wish breaststroke did not exist (except Peter, Allen, Aquafeisty, and a possiblely experimenting SCY freestyler). So why does everyone hate breaststroke? :mad:
I'll go first. I hated it when I was young because it was too slow, I never learned how to do it right, and I never learned the wave action because it didn't exist when I was young. I can't seem do get the timing right now. And I have no excuse. Unlike my shoulder, my knees are fully intact. Not sure I have the gumption or time to put in 100,000 yards for a complete overhaul on a stroke I don't swim in meets. But I'd like to be able to fake it in IMs ...
Parents
Former Member
I think breaststroke is not the main ingredient of most of the workouts. I use it for two reasons:
1. stretching: at the warm-up set after a couple of 100 free and/or back, I do a slow 100meter breaststroke (gliding). Very long strokes (1/2 of which I take in free), full breath in and out, stretching my arms very far (trying to reach the end of the pool with my whole body forward, nose down), squeezing my ears between my shoulders, not so hard kick (maybe 75%) , I do not look ahead during any phase (including the inhale part, keep your body low, looking down). This is a very good ending to a warm-up set.
2. breathing: at the end of a workout try a 50 or 100 breaststroke to cool down and breath deeply (use 100% of the lungs) and stretch again.
I do not care if I am fast or slow during breaststroke, I just enjoy my very long strokes. It is cool, soft, flexible, silent and fluid.
;)
I think breaststroke is not the main ingredient of most of the workouts. I use it for two reasons:
1. stretching: at the warm-up set after a couple of 100 free and/or back, I do a slow 100meter breaststroke (gliding). Very long strokes (1/2 of which I take in free), full breath in and out, stretching my arms very far (trying to reach the end of the pool with my whole body forward, nose down), squeezing my ears between my shoulders, not so hard kick (maybe 75%) , I do not look ahead during any phase (including the inhale part, keep your body low, looking down). This is a very good ending to a warm-up set.
2. breathing: at the end of a workout try a 50 or 100 breaststroke to cool down and breath deeply (use 100% of the lungs) and stretch again.
I do not care if I am fast or slow during breaststroke, I just enjoy my very long strokes. It is cool, soft, flexible, silent and fluid.
;)
