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
very timely post as i am starting my advanced TI freestyle class in a couple of hours! the original post was very helpful and struck a chord with me as they are two things i struggle with. but first here is my story.
but i have struggled with a few ti things, as donna mentioned. in regards to the mail slot, i don't put my hand in by my head, but i instead reach way farther out in front and slide my hand and arm pretty much straight out at a 3:00 position as recommended by the coach. so my arm is going out not down and this definitely helps with my streamline postioning and balance and it feels good!
but man that head thing is driving me crazy. just like donna said my head, when looking straight down and leading with the top, is deep in the water and for the life of me i can't get a smooth roll for air as i have to roll too far back up for it. and then i lose my breathing arm out in front balance thing. and i never connected my fishtailing with this, but man maybe that is part of my problem. so i try to move my head up and lead with the forehead which makes life a little easier, but i feel guilty like i am cheating and doing things wrong. so i hope to work on this at my new class. but i am too deep!!!
i gotta say that i can do a decent job with the switch drills where you swim from side to side, but when i do whole stroke it doesn't feel smooth as in my drill, i'm not really going from side to side in such an extreme way. know what i mean?
mark
Hi Mark, I completely understand what you are saying about the couple of problems you are having. Let me tell you what I think is the MOST important thing about swimming: creating a stroke natural for YOU whatever that turns out to be. And I will add one more thing: within proper stroke technique guidelines. The catch, pull, recovery with high elbows has to be there. People can talk about outsweep and insweep, but for now, I'd focus on how you can best meet the three components above. If you feel you are too deep in the water then you probably are regardless of what a TI instructor may say. You have to find your own comfort swim zone and for you, it may be slightly higher in the water than they recommend. Experiment with it and just try looking about a yard ahead when your face is in the water rather than straight down. This will slightly change your body position and rolling/rotating to breathe WILL be easier.
Talk to a TI instructor about this problem. Nothing anyone says is concrete; swimming is very individual. Shoot, my swimming could probably be criticized to no end, but I do things with my stroke for reasons such as helping bad shoulders, older and fatter, slower, etc. I make swim changes depending upon how far I am swimming to rest myself. I make adjustments all the time while swimming distance.
But you sound like you are on the right track!! Good Luck!
Donna
very timely post as i am starting my advanced TI freestyle class in a couple of hours! the original post was very helpful and struck a chord with me as they are two things i struggle with. but first here is my story.
but i have struggled with a few ti things, as donna mentioned. in regards to the mail slot, i don't put my hand in by my head, but i instead reach way farther out in front and slide my hand and arm pretty much straight out at a 3:00 position as recommended by the coach. so my arm is going out not down and this definitely helps with my streamline postioning and balance and it feels good!
but man that head thing is driving me crazy. just like donna said my head, when looking straight down and leading with the top, is deep in the water and for the life of me i can't get a smooth roll for air as i have to roll too far back up for it. and then i lose my breathing arm out in front balance thing. and i never connected my fishtailing with this, but man maybe that is part of my problem. so i try to move my head up and lead with the forehead which makes life a little easier, but i feel guilty like i am cheating and doing things wrong. so i hope to work on this at my new class. but i am too deep!!!
i gotta say that i can do a decent job with the switch drills where you swim from side to side, but when i do whole stroke it doesn't feel smooth as in my drill, i'm not really going from side to side in such an extreme way. know what i mean?
mark
Hi Mark, I completely understand what you are saying about the couple of problems you are having. Let me tell you what I think is the MOST important thing about swimming: creating a stroke natural for YOU whatever that turns out to be. And I will add one more thing: within proper stroke technique guidelines. The catch, pull, recovery with high elbows has to be there. People can talk about outsweep and insweep, but for now, I'd focus on how you can best meet the three components above. If you feel you are too deep in the water then you probably are regardless of what a TI instructor may say. You have to find your own comfort swim zone and for you, it may be slightly higher in the water than they recommend. Experiment with it and just try looking about a yard ahead when your face is in the water rather than straight down. This will slightly change your body position and rolling/rotating to breathe WILL be easier.
Talk to a TI instructor about this problem. Nothing anyone says is concrete; swimming is very individual. Shoot, my swimming could probably be criticized to no end, but I do things with my stroke for reasons such as helping bad shoulders, older and fatter, slower, etc. I make swim changes depending upon how far I am swimming to rest myself. I make adjustments all the time while swimming distance.
But you sound like you are on the right track!! Good Luck!
Donna
