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
Not sure about beginning swimmers but for the average swimmer (like myself) I think the TI focus on efficiency is pretty sensible. Elite swimmers may be a whole different ball game. TI is sometimes over-hyped and some of its proponents can be rather dogmatic but the general ideas seem quite useful (if not that original). As to the specifics, I'm not expert enough to say, but I would certainly agree that the head too low is at least as bad a problem as the head too high.
I think most coaches try to focus on efficiency, and technique. TI does not corner the market for sure. If only they all practiced what they preach. I see full extension before hands enter, some even use 6 and 4 beat kicks. Once I put videos into Stromotion feature of Dartswim I see things that you will not believe. The mailbox slot is seldom where they say it is. It frequently changes place. Ah but yes, TI is really not a bad thing.
Not sure about beginning swimmers but for the average swimmer (like myself) I think the TI focus on efficiency is pretty sensible. Elite swimmers may be a whole different ball game. TI is sometimes over-hyped and some of its proponents can be rather dogmatic but the general ideas seem quite useful (if not that original). As to the specifics, I'm not expert enough to say, but I would certainly agree that the head too low is at least as bad a problem as the head too high.
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
And this is where swimming TI or anyone with a longer stroke could give one big problems when dealing with chop! The best way to deal with chop is to shorten and tighten up the stroke and have a higher turnover. The long gliding stroke like Terry was swimming in the slow-swim video doesn't fair quite as well in big chop! But OW distance swimmers have to deal with all kinds of elements and make adjustments, sometimes constantly.
I actually like swimming in big chop; I think I am more efficient at this kind of stroke AND it gets me out of my swim comfort zone and makes me extremely aware of what I have to do to confront it. Plus, great workout! I just don't want to have to do it for 20 miles!
Big waves not bad, but a chop is like swimming in a washing machine. You get battered.
Your stroke has to adapt to the conditions, sometimes long sometimes short. You should have seen how I had to almost be on my back to get a breath many a time. I have even had to dog paddle and do waterpolo type jumps in the water to sight.
Just wanted to say Dave did look pretty darn good in that lake swim.
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.
My $0.02 (which is also $0.02 Canadian right now) -
I swam next to Terry Laughlin for about 2 minutes sometime during the first 10 minutes of MIMS last year (before the East River). His stroke was very fluid, extremely relaxed and effective. Admittedly, it's not a sprint, but there also was nothing "staged" about it. My conclusion: He was practicing what he preached and it looked good.
Let me also say that I had a short, but pleasant, conversation with him right before we jumped in the water. I saw no horns or pointed tail anywhere in evidence, either.
-LBJ
I think he looks very fluid in his swim and I do not think I am bashing his stroke. I just do not see that he is doing what he says he is, with his arms and hand entry. I could not tell about his leg action but I think it is a 2 beat kick but not plainly visible in that film.
I noticed his right hand extending before it entered. 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???
Donna, your observations are interesting. I will have to check my own head.
I've noticed that the mailslot entry seems to be pretty endemic around here, too, but I see it among recreational swimmers who have probably never even considered reading a book on swimming, but might have been told repeatedly by an instructor to "keep a high elbow recovery." It also seems to be a very common result of that ubiquitous fingertip-drag drill when done incorrectly.
Terry swam the Big Shoulders 5K in Chicago in September of 2006.
I tried to swim that race. I bailed out at the 2.5k mark. That was a doozy.
Skip Montanaro
Indeed. Big Shoulders is swum at Ohio Street Beach in what is known locally as "the playpen". There is a protective breakwater that runs basically from east to northeast (page with map). Even so, it gets very choppy in the playpen.
Skip
Indeed. Big Shoulders is swum at Ohio Street Beach in what is known locally as "the playpen". Skip
The Ohio Street Beach harbor, protected with breakwaters, is in my avatar. It's generally pretty calm, but one never knows. :drown:
VB
