Hey there-
Was just wondering if any of you felt like this...
At practice: I feel strong, my strokes feel perfect - everything is great.
When at meets: The second I dive in (this is primarily on backstroke, my best stroke) - and I feel like I'm out of control, I feel like I slip on every pull - not going anywhere but my arms are going fast.
What is going on? Do I need to lift weights or what?
Thanks - Sarah
Parents
Former Member
Sarah,
You may be aware or you may not, but your description of this problem sounds familiar. Sometimes, a swimmer is way too over-anxious at the start and spins in the initial part of the race without the performance feedback. Terry was very correct in mentioning a proper warmup; and the better condition a swimmer is in, the longer the warmup needs to be. And that warmup will help to alleviate tension. Also, visualization of the race, usually all through a taper up to the race itself, will help immensly. I have always used visualization for anything I do, way ahead of time, and what seems to happen is that the picture in my brain does eventually match the swim itself. My body follows the picture in my brain because my body is already trained; I am just trying to get my mind around it all.
I also think with being over-anxious even if you are totally not aware of it, a swimmer loses control and sense of pace. And in any swim race, acceleration is built, not instantly obtained right out of the shoot. Maybe you are trying too hard in the beginning? Just a thought.....
Some of the races I lost, I lost because I tried to go from zero to 100 during the midportion of the start. Failure happened. Tough lesson.
Donna
Sarah,
You may be aware or you may not, but your description of this problem sounds familiar. Sometimes, a swimmer is way too over-anxious at the start and spins in the initial part of the race without the performance feedback. Terry was very correct in mentioning a proper warmup; and the better condition a swimmer is in, the longer the warmup needs to be. And that warmup will help to alleviate tension. Also, visualization of the race, usually all through a taper up to the race itself, will help immensly. I have always used visualization for anything I do, way ahead of time, and what seems to happen is that the picture in my brain does eventually match the swim itself. My body follows the picture in my brain because my body is already trained; I am just trying to get my mind around it all.
I also think with being over-anxious even if you are totally not aware of it, a swimmer loses control and sense of pace. And in any swim race, acceleration is built, not instantly obtained right out of the shoot. Maybe you are trying too hard in the beginning? Just a thought.....
Some of the races I lost, I lost because I tried to go from zero to 100 during the midportion of the start. Failure happened. Tough lesson.
Donna
