I went to an underwater video clinic on 8/5/07. Filming credit goes to Emerald City Multisport which put on the clinic at Samena Pool in Bellevue, WA. They did me a favor and recorded both free and fly instead of just free.
I've uploaded some excerpts to google video, and I'm interested in any critiques. One thing they said is I seem to be creating a lot of bubbles on entry on free.
free, side view, underwater
video.google.com/videoplay
free, front view, underwater
video.google.com/videoplay
free, surface view
video.google.com/videoplay
fly, side view, underwater
video.google.com/videoplay
fly, front view, underwater
video.google.com/videoplay
fly, surface view
video.google.com/videoplay
Thanks,
Dave
Parents
Former Member
The only tips I would give would be to make a bigger effort in keeping your elbows higher when you catch and don't lose your shoulder lever when you press back. Your really get into your elbow and bicep when you start push through instead of keeping all your strength in your shoulder, chest, and back.
Good point, I realize now that I'm still following a technique that was taught to me in the early 80s. They didn't emphasize elbow position, but mainly the path your hand should trace through the water, sort of a keyhole shape (like someone else described my butterfly). I'm starting to get the hang of a 6-beat kick which was first on my list of things to try, so I'll give this a shot. I'm just a little wary of making big changes to my stroke because of all the shoulder injury stories I hear. I'll take it gradually.
The only tips I would give would be to make a bigger effort in keeping your elbows higher when you catch and don't lose your shoulder lever when you press back. Your really get into your elbow and bicep when you start push through instead of keeping all your strength in your shoulder, chest, and back.
Good point, I realize now that I'm still following a technique that was taught to me in the early 80s. They didn't emphasize elbow position, but mainly the path your hand should trace through the water, sort of a keyhole shape (like someone else described my butterfly). I'm starting to get the hang of a 6-beat kick which was first on my list of things to try, so I'll give this a shot. I'm just a little wary of making big changes to my stroke because of all the shoulder injury stories I hear. I'll take it gradually.
