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
2 minutes, very good. May I ask how long the 1650 took?
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:
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 have gone from the Salute hand entering water by my ear and heading straight to the bottom (Hitler Salute) to entering just in front of my ear and driving straight forward (the may I go to the bathroom hand raise)--this one would drown me with the wake coming off my shoulder--now I have the limp wrist (don't ask, don't tell) and I like it.:groovy:
My e-coach has me doing fingertip drag/catch-up drills, but watching GeoChuck codified it for me.
2 minutes, very good. May I ask how long the 1650 took?
Ummmmm, it took 27:13, but I was relaxed and enjoying it. I was cruising at 65-75%. So I won't be changing my screen name any time soon. My last 1650 for time was an "all out" effort at just over 30 min. Today, I had a lot left in the tank when I finished. Immediately following the swim, I hopped out and went for a 20 mile bike.
Just add learn swim pacing to the list of things for me to work on. I use my watch as a lap counter so I lost time on every other flip turn. I missed the button on one and stopped to press it again.
I know I have a long way to go, but all said and done; I'll pretty happy with it.
I had to look it up, My last 1650 PB (30 Min.) was 25 April 2007.
No clock on the deck. A lady brought one in once and scared everyone out of the pool! 8 seconds per 100 is over two minutes! I guess I'm off to Kieffer On-Line for a clock. As if I didn't have enough toys to carry around!
Thanx again George and the rest of y'all.
Conrad Wennerberg's Wind Waves and Sunburn a pretty good book. Don't believe everything he says about me....
The pictures of me were not very flattering. Tom Bucy looks like a truck ran over him in his pictures. Johnny Lacoursiere is in the book as well Abou Heif. Last time I talked to Johnney he said Abou was quite ill.
It is a good read.
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:
:cheerleader::cheerleader: This is absolutely GREAT news. Yes, having a relaxed arm/hand during recovery works. That's why it's called Recovery. My wrist/hand is very limp also. I love this portion of the stroke: recovery. I always look forward to it!
That's great that you're way under 30 minutes. No more Slowswim, slowswim. Maybe Slowswam, past tense?
:cheerleader::cheerleader: That's great that you're way under 30 minutes. No more Slowswim, slowswim. Maybe Slowswam, past tense?
Thanx, the name change is cute! and I got pom pom'd!! :party2:
I know have a long way to go but I'll get there.
I also noticed many strokes especialy the right arm his upper arm entered first then his elbow, then his forearm, then his hand that was fully extended. Now is this a fault???
You're right there, George. I didn't notice that his right elbow is lower all the time.
Too bad he didn't post the 2007 Mirror Lake video on the Tube, so we can't see if he's tried to correct that flaw. Maybe it's Mother Nature that limits the range of motion as you grow older?
Anyway, this is the URL I got from the Total Swim newsletter:
www.totalimmersion.net/.../ow-racap.htmlwww.adms.org/.../2007_LP_2-Mile_Cable_Swim_Results.pdf
