I am interested in knowing what swimming theory you use and why you use it. I hear much about Total Immersion and not just from this forum. I hear much about swimming high on the water slightly looking forward, and I hear much about people developing their own swimming theory best suited for them but using guidelines that help them maintain a technical stroke.
Given all these different theories, it is no wonder that swimmers new to the sport are confused as to whom to listen to.
I borrowed the TI book from a friend a year or so ago, and found several things I agreed with, but more that I didn’t. I am not close-minded, I just cannot find a reason to swim so low in the water with the head looking down. The rolling of the shoulders really concerned me and the fact that so much of the body is low-parallel to the water, this has to increase drag, especially on the shoulders. One thing I will say is most people who swim using TI have beautiful strokes. But, and there is a but, they just don’t swim fast. Maybe I have just been so isolated here on this island that I have not heard of any, but are there any Olympians using TI? Or, will the young-uns using it be our next generation?
There is a USMS club in Fort Worth who advocated TI. Sadly, now they are deconstructing all those methods because no matter what the workout and intensity, their swimmers’ speeds could never develop. I get to speak to many triathlete swimmers here every March. The Elite (professional) swimmers swim high on top of the water looking forward and they use hip rotation, not shoulder rolling. Many of the age-groupers in this event just don’t understand why they are not swimming faster using TI. Now, we all know that most of the triathletes who were swimmers first, and runners and bikers second, always fare better in the swim portion.
I have said this before and I will say it again, there is more than one way to swim. I swim higher on top of the water looking forward, about a yard or two and use hip rotation. The reason for this is picture a person throwing a rock that skims the lake. The rock is flying on top of the water and not in it, so it moves much faster until its momentum ceases. Now, I know people are not rocks, but the principle is founded. Swimming on top of the water generates power and the swimmer can truly feel it. I swim slightly “planed” outward and upward and skim over the water, not in it.
Nowadays, because I am older and carry more weight, I swim not quite as high on the water and this has evolved over the last ten years or so. So even though I started out swimming “high” on the water looking forward, my stroke has become my own personal one that suits me very well. I also want to mention that I am referring to only freestyle here even though with all of my backstroke days, I, again, swam rather “planed” upward because I could get more rotation on top of the water rather than “in” the water.
I am not trying to cause a brou-ha-ha. I am just curious about the swimming theories and why people select them. And after swimming with any specific theory, are you happy with it?
Donna
Parents
Former Member
My theory on swimming is pretty much just this: If it feels good, do it.
I’ve never used props (except to give them a try), and almost never do drills, kick sets, etc.
I mostly pay attention to how I feel moving through the water.
I’ve never been coached except to get some pointers now and again.
My theory has always been to concentrate on technique, and speed will follow.
I’ve never been the fastest fish in the pond (but I have been fastest in a few puddles).
While conditioning is important in swimming, it is mostly mental (... as is just about everything else).
I look and feel great. I get plenty of compliments on my swimming form.
I saw my rheumatologist just yesterday and he said if it were not for my swimming practice I could very well be in a wheelchair now. So while I rarely beat anyone at the USMS meets I’ve attended, I have beat a few, so I’m pretty confident you’d be hard pressed to find anyone with a health condition similar to mine that could beat me. But I’m not nearly as concerned with speed as I am with staying healthy, mobile, and injury free.
I recently tried to increase my practice (over a period of several months) to 2400yds in about 1.5hrs., 5x/wk (M-F). It was too much, so I’m back to about 1700 in 1hr., 3-5x/wk (generally every other day). I basically do 3 sets of 300IM (back, ***, free), with two of those followed by 6x50 kick/fly (dolphin kick on back out, fly back). I throw in a few other 50’s here and there of this and that. I’ve always practiced in a SCY pool (simply because that is what was there).
I generally don't watch the clock except to see when I start and end my practice for the distance covered. I rest until I’ve caught my breath, and am confident I can take off again w/o risking an injury. I’m extremely goal oriented, and always try to push myself, while still remaining kind to myself.
I have a lot of study and practice experience in Yoga as well. I’m amazed at the number of similarities between the two.
Are my ideas right for everyone? I hardly think so. But I firmly believe anyone could reach very close to their own personal top potential using my “theories”. (The amount of effort it takes to go from being really good to being the best just does not seem worth it to me.)
So I say:
Be patient. Pay attention to how you feel going through the water. Listen, watch, and talk to others (the web has been fantastic for these). And last, but certainly not least, have fun with it!
My theory on swimming is pretty much just this: If it feels good, do it.
I’ve never used props (except to give them a try), and almost never do drills, kick sets, etc.
I mostly pay attention to how I feel moving through the water.
I’ve never been coached except to get some pointers now and again.
My theory has always been to concentrate on technique, and speed will follow.
I’ve never been the fastest fish in the pond (but I have been fastest in a few puddles).
While conditioning is important in swimming, it is mostly mental (... as is just about everything else).
I look and feel great. I get plenty of compliments on my swimming form.
I saw my rheumatologist just yesterday and he said if it were not for my swimming practice I could very well be in a wheelchair now. So while I rarely beat anyone at the USMS meets I’ve attended, I have beat a few, so I’m pretty confident you’d be hard pressed to find anyone with a health condition similar to mine that could beat me. But I’m not nearly as concerned with speed as I am with staying healthy, mobile, and injury free.
I recently tried to increase my practice (over a period of several months) to 2400yds in about 1.5hrs., 5x/wk (M-F). It was too much, so I’m back to about 1700 in 1hr., 3-5x/wk (generally every other day). I basically do 3 sets of 300IM (back, ***, free), with two of those followed by 6x50 kick/fly (dolphin kick on back out, fly back). I throw in a few other 50’s here and there of this and that. I’ve always practiced in a SCY pool (simply because that is what was there).
I generally don't watch the clock except to see when I start and end my practice for the distance covered. I rest until I’ve caught my breath, and am confident I can take off again w/o risking an injury. I’m extremely goal oriented, and always try to push myself, while still remaining kind to myself.
I have a lot of study and practice experience in Yoga as well. I’m amazed at the number of similarities between the two.
Are my ideas right for everyone? I hardly think so. But I firmly believe anyone could reach very close to their own personal top potential using my “theories”. (The amount of effort it takes to go from being really good to being the best just does not seem worth it to me.)
So I say:
Be patient. Pay attention to how you feel going through the water. Listen, watch, and talk to others (the web has been fantastic for these). And last, but certainly not least, have fun with it!
