On my right side, which is how I learnt as a kid, I tend to find that I don't balance in the water as well as when I breathe on the left (the side I forced to learn bilaterally in recent months).
Feels like my lead arm (left) goes down (I think that's a reflex in trying to push my head up), and I've worked on holding the stretch.
That didn't fix it. Still feels like I begind to sag in the water.
I have now been tinkering with pulling back further on with the right arm (because I started to cross compare) to getting a better roll and glide; this seems to be working a bit.
Does that make sense? Is cutting the pull short (in slower paced swims) likely to cause a sagging feeling?
Undoubtedly I have a bad habit well ingrained...and without a coach to look at my stroke it's a bit of "cat and mouse" for me to analyse.
I have books with drills etc but I want to try and ID the issue if I can.
Sprints are not such an issue...but there are less breaths and faster turnovers.
Any thoughts?
Thanks
Rich
Parents
Former Member
Stud-
Have you tried doing one-arm drills? Try them--do one set where you breathe to the stroking side (keep non-stroking arm extended in front), and one set where you breathe to the non-stroking side. The non-stroking side breathing is tough (you will need to keep the non-stroking arm at your side instead of straight out--changes the body balance), but it helps to exagerate the roll. Focus on the roll and keeping the head in line with the spine--thus, rolling from the core, not just turning head.
Do the set on a rest interval and focus on an even stroke count on each side. Counting strokes should tell you if you are shortening one, since you will take more strokes on that side.
Dana
Stud-
Have you tried doing one-arm drills? Try them--do one set where you breathe to the stroking side (keep non-stroking arm extended in front), and one set where you breathe to the non-stroking side. The non-stroking side breathing is tough (you will need to keep the non-stroking arm at your side instead of straight out--changes the body balance), but it helps to exagerate the roll. Focus on the roll and keeping the head in line with the spine--thus, rolling from the core, not just turning head.
Do the set on a rest interval and focus on an even stroke count on each side. Counting strokes should tell you if you are shortening one, since you will take more strokes on that side.
Dana
