Breaststroke head drill

RE: Breaststroke head drill

Former Member — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 17:42:58 GMT

If you can do the fly drill for pushing the chest forward, try alternating one fly stroke and one *** stroke concentrating on pushing down with the chest on both.....hope that makes sense!

RE: Breaststroke head drill

Former Member — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 16:59:28 GMT

There's a drill the Auburn breaststrokers call the "Carla Drill". It's basically 3 underwater breaststroke pulls with a dolphin kick rather than a whip kick, with a single-arm fly breath after each 3 underwater pulls. It reinforces undulation while helping minimize drag on the pull recovery. That might help your overall issue, though it doesn't specifically address head position. Ugh dolphin kick is a bigger issue for me...I just get deeper and deeper... I'm just going to work on the streamline and head position for now. Too much will just ruin my stroke (further) and make me miserable ahead of Zones. Season is almost over anwhooooo. Then I can get to work. Only plan one pool event over the summer.

RE: Breaststroke head drill

Former Member — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 16:48:48 GMT

I wouldn't worry about getting height on the breath,look at how flat Liesel Jones is. As long as you do not flex at the hips on the kick and do not raise your head to breath you will have to have some undulation. The more important thing is being streamlined for the kick. See Wayne's article "What went right with the wave breaststroke." at breaststroke.info. Argh I need a clinic... LOL I try to raise the hips just as I kick and then press my chest into the glide--to aim for "downhill" I may delay my kick a touch longer and get those arms right out first.

RE: Breaststroke head drill

Former Member — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 16:36:48 GMT

Your head should not be rigid while swimming breaststroke. There should be movement in your neck, which is why I condemn this drill. I agree your eyes should not be looking parallel to the water's surface, but there is some variance in head position, which helps give your body the undulation it needs (the "wave" starts at your head and works down to your feet). If you want to work on head position, do some underwater breaststroke swimming. If you lift your head, you'll feel a lot of resistance. Keep it fairly neutral, but do not tuck your chin in. Okies. Thanks Jeff. I'll skip the ball for now. Any tips for getting a bit more height on the wave. Or is this perhaps more a mental thing with the breathing?

RE: Breaststroke head drill

Former Member — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 16:26:07 GMT

Seems to me that would put your head in an unfavorable flexed position for the stroke. Unless you have an unusually long chin or extremely prominent Adam's Apple, that is. I hear that. I'm just trying to eradicate the throw up motion...over correction for a bit might help overhaul me into a neutral position. My big problem is either timing or lack of flexibility in getting my torso clear enough to breathe. Possibly I am just a flat stroker, and thus sucking in some water due to not clearing the surface properly.

RE: Breaststroke head drill

Former Member — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 15:02:00 GMT

I have done the breaststroke head up drill and I think it is a great handspeed drill.I have never thought of it as a head position drill. It's a little hard to see Hansen's head position on that tape as the best shots are underwater,but he certainly does't seem to move his head much on the other tapes that I've seen of him.I agree with Jeff that a little neck motion is natural(it's hard to go wrong about breaststroke agreeing with Jeff) but I don't agree with looking forward. Also looking at Rich's video his neck is too arched when he swims so any drill to correct that will be good. Jeff,I find the underwater breaststroke drill good for many things,but not for undulation,am I missing something? Well I did 1250 free tonight to warm up worked on streamlining and was getting to the 10yard area without anything more than a push (I'm working to 1650 Free), then I went to my 50's of BR 12x50, 9x50 +5sec, 6x 50 +5 sec, 4 x50+5 sec. I couldn't go after the first 2 sets I'd worked streamline and keeping head still and my form was as the point where I would have been starting to get sloppy. I'd glugged a couple of mouthfuls and decided to call it and not do BAD form just to get yards in (I think that was wise). I then did some *** pullouts,and got past the halfway mark of the pool from both a push and from a dive--I actually had a couple of really nice feeling 50's where I felt myself diving forward. Finished off with 200 Free for about a 2500 workout. This post makes me sound like a poor man's version of Ande lol

RE: Breaststroke head drill

poolraat — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 12:53:04 GMT

If you can do the fly drill for pushing the chest forward, try alternating one fly stroke and one *** stroke concentrating on pushing down with the chest on both.....hope that makes sense! This is a great drill for both *** and fly.

RE: Breaststroke head drill

poolraat — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 12:00:57 GMT

Argh I need a clinic... LOL I try to raise the hips just as I kick and then press my chest into the glide--to aim for "downhill" I may delay my kick a touch longer and get those arms right out first. You're getting a clinic right here, albeit a dry one. I'm a horrible breaststroker but it's improving as a result of the advice you're recieving from the experts. I've been delaying the kick and it has made a difference. I try to keep my feet in contact with each other, legs straight and toes pointed until my hands have nearly finished the insweep. By doing this, I've found that my upper body is back in a streamline as I kick.

RE: Breaststroke head drill

jonblank — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 11:54:31 GMT

Your head should not be rigid while swimming breaststroke. There should be movement in your neck, which is why I condemn this drill. If you want to work on head position, do some underwater breaststroke swimming. If you lift your head, you'll feel a lot of resistance. Keep it fairly neutral, but do not tuck your chin in. There's a drill the Auburn breaststrokers call the "Carla Drill". It's basically 3 underwater breaststroke pulls with a dolphin kick rather than a whip kick, with a single-arm fly breath after each 3 underwater pulls. It reinforces undulation while helping minimize drag on the pull recovery. That might help your overall issue, though it doesn't specifically address head position.

RE: Breaststroke head drill

Allen Stark — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 11:44:00 GMT

RE: Breaststroke head drill

Allen Stark — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 11:34:54 GMT

I find the tennis ball drill does keep my neck too flexed,but it is a good reminder to keep my head down. What I use more is this: I take my center mount snorkle,turn it upside down,turn the mouthpiece backward,and wear it backwards. this has the long end down my back keeping my head in neutral position.

RE: Breaststroke head drill

Jeff Commings — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 11:33:14 GMT

RE: Breaststroke head drill

jonblank — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 11:20:27 GMT

Seems to me that would put your head in an unfavorable flexed position for the stroke. Unless you have an unusually long chin or extremely prominent Adam's Apple, that is.

RE: Breaststroke head drill

poolraat — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 11:20:01 GMT

Our age group coach has the kids do this drill from time to time. Usually on a set of 25's. It helps to limit the head bobbing during the pull/breath part of the stroke. Stussy told me to swim with a tennis ball under my chin to get used to not moving. anyone else tried this? Or hae other drills and a set for such? I was just gong to do some streamline, turns and pull outs work and throw in 4x 50 with the tennis ball. Slow at first and try to add speed. Then move into my regular BR work. Thoughts?

RE: Breaststroke head drill

Former Member — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 10:35:11 GMT

So, If my head is above water and I'm looking forward how can my head be in the right position? cause your supposed to look forward, this drill doesn't give your perfect head position but it teaches you not to drop your head early. according to eddie resse the way it should be is if you atached a string to your thumbs and taped it to your forehead you should look foreward untill your arms are about 4 to 5 inches from being fully extendend at which point the string would become tight and pull your head down.

RE: Breaststroke head drill

Former Member — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 08:41:34 GMT

head above water looking forward. So, If my head is above water and I'm looking forward how can my head be in the right position?

RE: Breaststroke head drill

Former Member — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 08:31:11 GMT

Do you mean with your head above water -- BUT NOT LOOKING FORWARD, RATHER LOOKING DOWN? and, that is how you can say that this drill would give you the right head position? I haven't seen the Eddie Resse video; I got Amanda Beard - Go Breastroke, good but has only gotten me so far. The youtube video of Brendan is excellent I watched it a few weeks ago when it was put into one the other threads. In my mind that's what I see when I'm swimming, only no one else sees it tha way. I'll try drilling the way you suggest rather than the previous one. You still haven't said why the other drill is bad. head above water looking forward.

RE: Breaststroke head drill

Allen Stark — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 08:29:26 GMT

RE: Breaststroke head drill

Former Member — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 08:27:03 GMT

RE: Breaststroke head drill

Former Member — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 08:25:29 GMT

A drill I like to do is breastroke pull with the head above water with a slight butterfly kick. You have to move your hands fast enough to keep your head above water. Not only does it give you the right head position it also works your hand speed. Late in the race when you are tired keep your hands fast on your pull and your legs will follow. That is what eddie resse said on his breastoke video and the drill is from that to. www.youtube.com/watch Brendan looks almost straight down the pool. If you use a tenis ball you have to drop your head to hold on to it. That's how I did my 50. After watching the Swedish bloke. Well I tried to emulate it.

RE: Breaststroke head drill

Former Member — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 08:17:34 GMT

RE: Breaststroke head drill

Former Member — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 08:01:33 GMT

Warren, can you tell me what specifically is bad about this drill. I came from the late 60's early 70's flat, above-the-water old-style breastroke days and have become somewhat proficient with this new undulation, streamlinned stroke but can't quite get the speed going that I want and think I should be getting. SwimStud's questions and everyone's responses have been a great help. Since I thought this sounded like a good drill, please help me understand why it wouldn't be. Thanks. Yes or an alternative Warren. That would be good too.

RE: Breaststroke head drill

Former Member — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 07:57:48 GMT

RE: Breaststroke head drill

Former Member — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 07:50:27 GMT

this drill is bad, dont do it.

RE: Breaststroke head drill

Former Member — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 07:42:38 GMT

I also tried the ball beneath the chin drill, it was horrible -- neck too stiff, couldn't move in my ever-so-slight undulation, felt like someone stuck me cage and told me to swim. This is the first I've heard of the "Carla Drill." It sounds like it would work a number of important technical aspects, head down, breath endurance, long streamline and undulation. I'll be trying this one tomorrow morning. I'll have to move to the back of the lane or someone will definitely be swimming over me --oouch!