Hi everyone,
Since there is so much experience and expertise on this board, I thought I would open up a discussion about how to prevent people from swimming crooked. I know that many people new to swimming have this problem.
I'll go first.
I have found that most people swim crooked when they breathe. From observation, what happens is when they turn their head to breathe, the support arm (non-breathing arm) travels across their centerline toward the breathing side. Then, when the support arm goes to do the pull, the arm is not in alignment with the shoulder. It is too far past the centerline and catches and pulls water more from the other side of their body. Thus, they travel to the opposite side. Also, I have found that many people still close their eyes and sometimes aren't even aware of this.
I overcame the swimming crooked when it was pointed out to me. I also had the great privilege of swimming with Navy divers and they would blindfold us and we would swim 25s. We learned how to feel what body balance was; both sides of the body doing the same thing. And, it really didn't take that long to correct the swimming crooked.
Please share your thoughts on this subject.
:woot:
Donna
Parents
Former Member
Great topic, Donna. From my short experience.. here are a couple of things i focus on:
- keep the head straight down regardless of body roll. also, try to follow the vertical line (if there is one) or the tiles and focus on forward movement.
- power forward from rolling your hips, not the arms/shoulders. this way your body stays aligned and straight.
- Don't cross the center with your catching hand.
- Great drill i use all the time to improve streamline, technique and everything really: Swim with the body rotated 90 degrees to the side with one hand forward and the other on your side (the side arm is on top of the water), look forward or down and propel using your feet. switch sides/stroke/take a breather and assume alternate position.
Great topic, Donna. From my short experience.. here are a couple of things i focus on:
- keep the head straight down regardless of body roll. also, try to follow the vertical line (if there is one) or the tiles and focus on forward movement.
- power forward from rolling your hips, not the arms/shoulders. this way your body stays aligned and straight.
- Don't cross the center with your catching hand.
- Great drill i use all the time to improve streamline, technique and everything really: Swim with the body rotated 90 degrees to the side with one hand forward and the other on your side (the side arm is on top of the water), look forward or down and propel using your feet. switch sides/stroke/take a breather and assume alternate position.
