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
Former Member
I do notice that the water passes over the head, breaststroke swimmers were disqualifed for letting water pass over the head like that. And is he moving forward very much, I don't think so.
Quoting Dr Jessica Seaton:
Look straight down at the bottom of the pool, without lifting your head, when swimming.
I don't have my TI materials at hand, but this is how I've always interpreted their
recommendation on head position. Not buried, not raised, just neutral.
Skip
Quoting Dr Jessica Seaton:
usaswimming.org/.../ViewMiscArticle.aspx
Look straight down at the bottom of the pool, without lifting your head, when swimming. A few years ago coaches were still recommending a slightly extended neck position, as in looking slightly forward. Newer thinking has one looking straight down and keeping good body balance.
I'm glad there is Authority.
That's not Authority for it being a good idea to bury your head under the surface of the water. Looking down instead of forward is totally different. Your head doesn't have to be under water when looking down. I am generally looking down, although am more elevated when sprinting. My head is pretty darn far back in backstroke too.
George,just so you don't confuse some people,it has been OK for the head to go underwater in breaststroke since 1986.(Greatest rule change ever.:bouncing::bouncing::bouncing:)
Yeah, and my last meet was in 1985. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Thanks a lot folks, way to come up with a rule change AFTER I stop swimming competitively.
Paul
I'm in agreement with George. The back of the head is underwater in the 2nd clip. Now, at that speed, you can't see it but as her speed would increase it would create a bow wave on her shoulders with that head position. That's a Bad Thing. Plus the hand entry looks like it's at least than half her full arm extension. That's IMHO way too early. While you do want to finish the arm extension underwater, you also do not want to extend too much as that pushes you backwards which defeats the purpose.
Paul
Are you kidding? I have never seen someone advocate swimming with the head entirely below the surface of the water. I've heard low where a bit of water flows over their head. But beneath the water on freestyle?
Quoting Dr Jessica Seaton:
usaswimming.org/.../ViewMiscArticle.aspx
Look straight down at the bottom of the pool, without lifting your head, when swimming. A few years ago coaches were still recommending a slightly extended neck position, as in looking slightly forward. Newer thinking has one looking straight down and keeping good body balance.
I'm glad there is Authority.
I don't have my TI materials at hand, but this is how I've always interpreted their
recommendation on head position. Not buried, not raised, just neutral.
Skip
I heard Janet Evans say that back in the mid-90s right before the 96 Olympics.
Just read this it is so true
Remember, when swimming long-axis strokes (freestyle and backstroke), keep some portion of your head above the water level - don't let water go over the top of your head. Your head should not submerge; if it does go under you create a lot of excess drag. The short-axis strokes (butterfly and breaststroke) work the opposite way - you create less overall drag when you allow your head to submerge, creating a longer, smoother streamline shape, head to toe, every stroke cycle.
You be the judge on head position lots of before and after.
I had a few problems with the swimmers in this video and I'll tell you why. With a head position that low, and I thought it was underwater, it increases tremendous drag even if the swimmer rotates. These swimmers were not rotating; they were rolling, over-rolling, which is a totally different thing. They rolled, then the hips rotated. I rotate first and then my upper body follows with a roll. There is something to be said for that "hip snap." It generates tremendous power, but only if it happens first.
And with the hand/arm entry so close to the head, it promotes dropped elbows and I saw those in that video. The reason why is because there is too much time lapse between the hand entering the water and the "catch." The catch will happen too late and thus dropped elbows. Maybe it's because they were swimming slow for video purposes, but I would never put my hand/forearm into the water that close to my head and glide (rest) until I made my "catch."
I've seen overhead shots of many olympians and their "catch" is way out front of their heads.
