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
Frank and Inklaire,
Great comments from you both! And thanks for the good wishes for my upcoming LONG one; I might have been slightly out of my mind when I decided upon it but I won't know until that DAY. But even at my age, I must continue to challenge myself and now as a distance swimmer, I figure this: what the heck! Even if I cannot complete it, it'll be close! I'll be proud of the effort and ecstatic if completion happens.
The high elbows Inklaire mentioned may be a culprit if the swimmer doesn't know to then reach forward after the high-elbow recovery. I do see many people mid-recovery stroke dropping their arm into the water right away instead of completing the recovery and getting a good, solid catch. I just think that those who can and have learned from swim books are pretty amazing people. It can be hard to not only interpret the words into stroke mechanics, but to differentiate between what is meant AND what should be felt. After all, "feeling" the stroke is a whole other set of "instructions."
By the way, today's lake swim was challenging. It wasn't really chop, but high winds created big lake waves. All the triathletes were skeptical but started swimming anyway. Many held onto the kayaks until they got used to it. We were swimming parallel to the beach which makes waves worst on the body (Dramamine came to mind LOL) and sea-sickness. Also, being close to shore makes the waves worse because it's shallow.
So, I suggested we turn into the wind and waves, and it got much better. It only became a power struggle that way, all sea-sickness went away for everyone. But we were huffing and puffing, I'll give you that! Terrific aerobic workout!
I have to say here that several of the tri swimmers who have extended their arm to a good catch are swimming so much better and with ease. That mail slot thing was just confusing for them as to when their arm should enter the water. There's nothing any better than when you see swimmers beaming when they finish a swim. Red cheeks and smiles are heartwarming and contagious!
:cheerleader: To All!
Donna
Frank and Inklaire,
Great comments from you both! And thanks for the good wishes for my upcoming LONG one; I might have been slightly out of my mind when I decided upon it but I won't know until that DAY. But even at my age, I must continue to challenge myself and now as a distance swimmer, I figure this: what the heck! Even if I cannot complete it, it'll be close! I'll be proud of the effort and ecstatic if completion happens.
The high elbows Inklaire mentioned may be a culprit if the swimmer doesn't know to then reach forward after the high-elbow recovery. I do see many people mid-recovery stroke dropping their arm into the water right away instead of completing the recovery and getting a good, solid catch. I just think that those who can and have learned from swim books are pretty amazing people. It can be hard to not only interpret the words into stroke mechanics, but to differentiate between what is meant AND what should be felt. After all, "feeling" the stroke is a whole other set of "instructions."
By the way, today's lake swim was challenging. It wasn't really chop, but high winds created big lake waves. All the triathletes were skeptical but started swimming anyway. Many held onto the kayaks until they got used to it. We were swimming parallel to the beach which makes waves worst on the body (Dramamine came to mind LOL) and sea-sickness. Also, being close to shore makes the waves worse because it's shallow.
So, I suggested we turn into the wind and waves, and it got much better. It only became a power struggle that way, all sea-sickness went away for everyone. But we were huffing and puffing, I'll give you that! Terrific aerobic workout!
I have to say here that several of the tri swimmers who have extended their arm to a good catch are swimming so much better and with ease. That mail slot thing was just confusing for them as to when their arm should enter the water. There's nothing any better than when you see swimmers beaming when they finish a swim. Red cheeks and smiles are heartwarming and contagious!
:cheerleader: To All!
Donna
