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
As for swimming straight if I'm outside I'm all over the place ... heck last year at a meet inside I think I hit both lane lines in the same length ... I tend to hit the left side mostly though which is good when circle swimming at least ...
Swimming outside can be difficult. Keeping the head utterly still is good advice for outdoors. Look at the ceiling indoors to keep a straight line. This will also help keep your head back instead of propped up. You're more likely to go off course if you're breaking the streamline and swimming with your chin tucked in.
I sometimes drift to the left. I hate to say this, but it's because my left shoulder is weaker. Or, you may not be bending your left elbow under water enough.
As for swimming straight if I'm outside I'm all over the place ... heck last year at a meet inside I think I hit both lane lines in the same length ... I tend to hit the left side mostly though which is good when circle swimming at least ...
Swimming outside can be difficult. Keeping the head utterly still is good advice for outdoors. Look at the ceiling indoors to keep a straight line. This will also help keep your head back instead of propped up. You're more likely to go off course if you're breaking the streamline and swimming with your chin tucked in.
I sometimes drift to the left. I hate to say this, but it's because my left shoulder is weaker. Or, you may not be bending your left elbow under water enough.
