My Swim Video

I think your stroke looks great! Lots of body roll and really smooth. My only suggestion is to lower your head a little. You should be looking more at the bottom of the pool. edit: looks like me and scy posted at just about the same time. I concur with his assessment ;)

It's a little hard to tell from the video exactly what you are up to because the angle is funny. It does seem like you are shortening up your stroke too much when you're coming in and out of the turn at the close wall. However, I'm not sure if it is consistent because it seems as though, from this angle, you are coming as close as possible pulling all the way through heading out. I have a theory, and I wonder if some of the coaches on this board agree with me. I think you're shortening up your stroke coming into the walls because you don't quite have good timing down on when you should be starting your turn at the pace you are going. It seems like at the other end you actually pause, lift your head to view the wall, and then turn. I think we all do this to some extent and maybe it's just the easy pace exaggerating it. Perhaps someone else can suggest some drills other than stroke counts to help with this wall-phobia. Another thing that I'm not sure if you are actually doing, or if it's just the video angle: it seems like you are crossing the center of your body at the top of your pull. For me, catch-up drill and fingertip drill helps with this problem. I hope someone more experienced can comment. Otherwise, congratulations! :applaud: That's a nice pace for what you called an easy swim. And kudos for feeding your video to the piranas. :) (j/k) You should hopefully get some good, more experienced advice than my own.

I have a theory, and I wonder if some of the coaches on this board agree with me. I think you're shortening up your stroke coming into the walls because you don't quite have good timing down on when you should be starting your turn at the pace you are going. It seems like at the other end you actually pause, lift your head to view the wall, and then turn. I think we all do this to some extent and maybe it's just the easy pace exaggerating it. Perhaps someone else can suggest some drills other than stroke counts to help with this wall-phobia. I think on looking at the video again I retract this part. I don't think it's a turn issue. Again, maybe someone more experienced will have a better take on it. But I do think you are shortening up your stroke, although inconsistently.

Concho Pearl, I loved your video. You look so comfortable and I think your swimming looks pretty fine. Smooth and body-balanced. Where in West Texas? I grew up in Abilene. Donna

I'm in San Angelo, very close to Abliene. Graduated from Central High in 1980.

I think your head could stand to be a bit lower which would bring your legs up a bit more, reducing drag. That's my .02, FWIW.

Hi, I liked your style, you are really fast. I am not a coach, so don't take my critics seriously Your flip turn is very good, but you can add 1-2 dolphin kicks on it your strokes are relaxed although your pace is fast (21-22sec. per length) (I prefer vertical forearm stroke which is very different than yours, but my stroke rate is slower than yours) your head position seems a bit hi and you raise your head even higher while breathing you can stretch your strokes a bit more (it will give you a lower stroke count, but reduce your stroke rate):applaud: Enjoy your swim, thanks for sharing the video

Looks good.I agree with the other suggestions. I notice you are crossing over too far with your right arm entry. Your left arm entry is much better. You also pause to turn over on the turn. Your turn looks great and then you get hung up a little on the wall. Just bounce off the wall and turn while you are pushing off and after,and then go at least to the flags before you break the surface.

Your stroke looks very nice. It's clean.... smooth and quiet. I would work on trying to extend your reach ....very slightly....so you drop the stoke count by around two less per length. You were 18 down and 19 back. Ideally this could be around 16 on average. (I take 11 for free and 9 for back) And if you were one of my age group kids...I'd ask you to streamline off of the walls. Lock the hands (hand over hand) and squeeze your ears with your arms. This alone will get you a reduction on the stroke count. (It takes time to make this a permanent habit) Thanks...and hope you don't mind the honest critique.

Yes you can get your SPL lower by exteding a little more on the catch and by going further underwater on the turn. Given how strong your stroke looks I think 15-16 SPL is reasonable,maybe even fewer. Good Luck at the meet.