Video - Have you seen you swim?

I've seen still photos of myself, but I've never been filmed. I'd like to be at some point though because I was self-coached for a long time so I'd like to know how I did.

Been taped a couple of times now. Underwater footage is invaluable. Wish we could do it more often. Last time, we got to do it twice. We broke, watched the footage, and the coach pointed out a few things, but focused on one major item for each of us. We then went back out and each tried to really over-emphasize the fix to the one major issue while we were taped again. We all commented that we had significantly modified our stroke for the video lap. Back in the room, the coach cued the tape and had each of us call out what we had tried to change. In most cases, the difference was either indiscernable or slight. My focus was early vertical forearm (Coach Tom will be pleased). I felt like I radically changed my stroke for the video, and was certain I was going vertical almost immediately. "So, are you doing it?" coach asked as the film showed no change to my stroke at all. "Uh, no, not really," I mumbled. I think about that tape a lot during drills.

Our coach videos us a couple of times a year. We have an underwater camera available and usually one of the masters will make a CD of the footage for each swimmer being taped. I have the Dartswim viewer s/w for my PC that lets me go frame by frame, 1/4 speed, 1/2 speed, etc. viewing it. I don't think they distribute the free viewer any more. I compare my current videos with some that were taken 10-15 years ago. Lots of difference between now and then, some good, some bad. I sure was in better condition back then. There is such a huge difference between how it feels and what you can be doing. I had no idea how crooked I swim, how not-high my elbows are on the freestyle recovery, the head bobbing, etc. It is very instructive and humbling to watch.

I wish I didn't record this. I realized that I'm swimming like an old whale swimming to the seaside to die. My super hi elbows are like shark fins!!!;) www.youtube.com/watch

I wish I didn't record this. I realized that I'm swimming like an old whale swimming to the seaside to die. My super hi elbows are like shark fins!!! posted by Okaban I don't know why you think its so bad Okaban....I'm no expert on stroke mechanics like others around here, but I thought it looked pretty good. I don't see anything wrong with your high elbow recovery....mine is just and high as yours (did that come out right?..LOL!!). I really couldn't see your stroke very well untill the last 3 or 4 strokes as you came into the wall though. Newmastersswimmer

Lindsay,you could really benefit from working in your streamlining off the wall. It looks like your arms are not totally extended and it looks like you come up too soon.You should get at least to the flags before surfacing.Also your pull is definitely more S shaped than I shaped and I think you dropped your elbows some,but that was hard for me to see. That said,it very looked good overall:woot:

I have the Dartswim viewer s/w for my PC that lets me go frame by frame, 1/4 speed, 1/2 speed, etc. viewing it. I don't think they distribute the free viewer any more. For people with Windows, the included Windows Movie Maker program allows you to view frame by frame or at whatever speed you like.

Lindsay - hard to see a lot from that angle, but to me it looks like you want to lengthen and straighten your line a bit, there are some unwanted bends through your torso. It looks like maybe you flex your left foot slighty at one point during the kicking phase?, but that could just be the camera angle. Also a bit more core rotation would be good and yeah, focus on streamlining more off the wall, get under the wake coming in as you push off the wall...the deep water is the fast water

I wish I didn't record this. I realized that I'm swimming like an old whale swimming to the seaside to die. My super hi elbows are like shark fins!!! posted by Okaban I don't know why you think its so bad Okaban....I'm no expert on stroke mechanics like others around here, but I thought it looked pretty good. I don't see anything wrong with your high elbow recovery....mine is just and high as yours (did that come out right?..LOL!!). I really couldn't see your stroke very well untill the last 3 or 4 strokes as you came into the wall though. Newmastersswimmer You're right, the recording is very bad. My problems are: My hand entry is bad My pull is not complete My kicks are large and weak I'm working on them

Now I know how it feels to be slapped in the face by reality: static.atlanticmasters.org/.../WebSlow200m.wmv :help: This was from the 2nd 50 in a 200m race. I can see all sorts of problems but I'm curious what more knowledgeable viewers think the most important things to work on are. Thanks in advance for any help! P.S. Yes, it IS half speed, I have a slow turnover but not that slow! ;)