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 not see how a hand entry so near the head or ear is anything close to ideal. If the hand enters and is pushed forward before the pull begins you're creating signficant "push" drag. That is motion that pushes water in the wrong direction. Hand going to the bottom after a near ear entry seems like it would create a very quick or early catch but overall seems like it would shorten the stroke unnecessarily.
I see windmill swimmers as more efficient than that....
This is TI head coach himself. I don't think his hand entry is that much different from the average joe:
www.youtube.com/watch
Rather than watch Terry's slow swimming I would like to see him at speed. Say a 50 or a 100. or even a nice fast 350m, 500m or 750m or even a 1500. Can you come up with any clips like that.
Rather than watch Terry's slow swimming I would like to see him at speed. Say a 50 or a 100. or even a nice fast 350m, 500m or 750m or even a 1500. Can you come up with any clips like that.
Not really, but this is a mile race from last year:
www.youtube.com/watch
I only wish there was more of Dave Barra in the video. The way he swims reminds me of Michael Phelps.
Nice swim, it seems to me he forgot to pierce the water. It looks like he is placing his hands rather than piercing. It also appears to me he has a very short arm length. Now I could be wrong.
I really enjoyed watching Dave and Terry in that one mile cable swim. They both looked really good. Wish I could've seen more of Dave, too. I noticed that Terry's thumb seems to enter the water first; hope that doesn't give him rotator problems (if I saw it correctly).
I kind of laughed when I heard Terry mention the "chop"---uh, that's not chop folks! That looked flat as glass to me with a slight surface current. I swim in BIG chop all the time; I wouldn't know what to do with myself in little chop--a dream come true possibly.
What I wouldn't give to go back down to 1 or 2 mile races! What fun that would be.
I may have seen a bigger chop in some of my races. The ones were the boats with us cracked from stem to stern in a ten or 15 foot chop.
Big waves are not a problem it is that choppy water that gives you trouble
My coach used to say that the recovery phase your arm should be relaxed and resting. I could never do that when I had to have my hand ready to enter the water and drive it forward under water. I had to keep it rigid like a military salute.
Thanx George :drink::bow:
Bill, no pool salutes. Your elbow and upper arm should lead the recovery with a relaxed forearm and hand; think limp wrist. I do a lot of the wrist and fingertip drag drills to imprint this.
I always thought the TI was just a play on words because you had to go to a week-long camp so I were Totally Immersed in Swimming.
Reading where I think my e-coach is using the TI approach. I definitely think I'm too low in the water (especially my legs).
I swam a PB today in the 1650 by over 2 minutes using a more relaxed recovery (ala GeoChuck) and not entering the water until my arm was near or fully extended.
My coach used to say that the recovery phase your arm should be relaxed and resting. I could never do that when I had to have my hand ready to enter the water and drive it forward under water. I had to keep it rigid like a military salute.
Thanx George :drink::bow:
Poolrat I am having trouble downloading your video. I used to be able to before my computer caught a sickening virus. I had to get the doctor for the computer and he gutted it. It is like starting all over.
I will have to add something to the computer so I can download again from you tube.
I hope to get it straigtened out soon.
If you post your videos here they can be downloaded by me easily. www.mediamax.com/.../home.aspx
