Just curious of what type of breaststroke most people here swim? Which one of these three : conventional (flat), wave, or undulating (i.e. the very flexible Amanda Beard) you guys found most efficient and comfortable to swim?
I found myself swim a combination of wave and undulating. Just wonder what you all think of these different types of breaststroke. :agree:
I disagree with Jeff with great temerity,but by my definition Leisel swims wave,granted a very flat wave.
I just watched the 200 m *** from the 2004 Olympics on youtube, and Leisel's *** looks pretty darn flat to me (no joking, now :)). Flat wave or just plain flat, I'd say it's very "old school" other than her head does go under the surface--albeit just barely.
I also do the wave. I had a more undulating style when I came to my current coach, and he said that just because you have the flexibility to arch high like Amanda doesn't necessarily mean that will produce the greatest results. He seems to have been right in my case, because I have improved my times with the wave style -- especially in the 200, where wave is less tiring than what I was doing when I was trying to be more undulating.
I'm pretty sure I undulate. When I do the pull with a fly kick I end up with two kicks. And when I'm doing regular ***, my feet and hips usually come really close, if not break, the surface of the water.
Can you post some films representing each style? I guess I am doing ondulating one. In the recovery, my hip slightly breaks the surface, my head completely in the water. Breathing, I do not raise my head much.
Oguz,
I don't have any clips on my new laptop at this moment, but maybe you can youtube it! Or I'll look for them and post the links later. ;)
Here are some names:
Flat: Ed Moses
Wave: Mike Barrowman, Brendan Hansen, Leisol Jones, and most top breaststrokers out there.
Undulating: Amanda Beard, Jessica Hardy, and extrememly flexible female breastrokers.
OK, I just "googled" the question and got my answer.
Flat = flat
wave = shallow feet/quick hands/small shoulders
undulate = butterfly type action with arched back and deeper kick - swimmer in an "s shape"
:applaud: :woot: :groovy:
I gew up doing the flat *** stroke but recently started training with a kids team and we broke down the *** stroke so much that I'm now doing a wave. My times have improved a lot, too. My old stroke was 90% legs and now it's about 50/50 legs and arms. It's odd to get out of the 200 *** and not have my legs hurt but my arms hurt!
Alison
