Hi everyone! I wanted to pass along some of my experiences/observations of those new swimmers using T.I. I am working with a group of triathletes who had no coaching whatsoever and purchased this swim book to try to improve their swimming.
I know it can be difficult to try to learn from a book as interpretation is different for everyone. Here are two common problems I'm finding that I think should (if at all possible) be addressed by the author/TI swim instructors for further clarification.
1. Mail Slot Entry
All of the swimmers' hand/arm entry is actually an inverted "V". The hand/forearm enter the water as a downward spear right by their ear. There is no catch whatsoever because the stroke is so short. The hand goes directly downward from the ear to the pool bottom; the stroke is of no use this way because there is no catch whatsoever.
2. Low in the water
They are all too low in the water. Their heads and shoulders are completely underwater so they have to roll too much and too far to get a breath of air. This is causing "fishtailing" and a tremendous amount of body movement. I understand "chest pressing" in the water, but they have taken it too far.
I have always firmly believed in each person's stroke being "their own", but there are some components that are necessary to swim well. I'm helping them to make some of these corrections, especially regarding the mail slot entry; they are "spearing" downward which I don't believe was the point. Most all of the triathletes swim a 50 meter free in around 2 minutes. Last Sunday with some changes (they are really working on their swimming), 4 of them were swimming the 50 meter free in around 45 to 50 seconds which is a huge improvement. They said it feels better now, and they are traveling faster with less body movement and with ease.
I know the TI book has helped many to join the world of swimming, but this indicates that without coaching, a book can be misinterpreted. A picture is worth a thousand words. One last point: ALL of them were holding their breath which is the kiss of death. I never bought this book so I cannot attest to what was explained in verse or graphics.
Donna
Parents
Former Member
We have to realize that Terry was not a great swimmer. He has researched and found a way for himself to swim beter, credit due. It is not the end all and be all. It is a means to become better then you were.
As I have said before anything that helps you become a better swimmer that is good.
The head down thing is a learning curve and is nothing new. Gerry MacNamee a great swimmer who swam for USC had his head buried deep in the 50s. I even went through that phase in the late 40s.
You will find that not everyone swims the same way.
Tom Bucy started marathon swimming in 1965 and changed his stroke from what he had done previously to a buried head in the water swimmer because his coach Gus told him he had to get his body into the water and not to swim high in the water. A little article here about Tom Bucy
books.google.com/books
We have to realize that Terry was not a great swimmer. He has researched and found a way for himself to swim beter, credit due. It is not the end all and be all. It is a means to become better then you were.
As I have said before anything that helps you become a better swimmer that is good.
The head down thing is a learning curve and is nothing new. Gerry MacNamee a great swimmer who swam for USC had his head buried deep in the 50s. I even went through that phase in the late 40s.
You will find that not everyone swims the same way.
Tom Bucy started marathon swimming in 1965 and changed his stroke from what he had done previously to a buried head in the water swimmer because his coach Gus told him he had to get his body into the water and not to swim high in the water. A little article here about Tom Bucy
books.google.com/books
