Check
www.youtube.com/watch
Whoa... I'm speechless... well, momentarily anyways...
That is incredible, I've never seen anything quite like
this before!! What a perfect example of a totally unique
stroke, a bizarre phenomena that might not ever become
mainstream swimming philosophy.
I mean, it would be near to impossible to try and mimic
this stroke pattern, not to mention, how could someone
actually describe this appropriately in words...???!!
Attempting the impossible, just for the sheer need of
understanding, how could I let this opportunity "swim"
away?
His mix of technical variables are somewhat shocking,
and trying to describe his kick pattern combined with
his torso and pulling action is a slightly daunting task.
I mean, this appears to be a hybrid swimming stroke,
combining elements of butterfly and freestyle, with very
little semblance of previously accepted principals. This
may be the new "stroke" or just something that works
solely for this man.
Personally, I'm not willing to risk everything by endorsing
this stroke, but I will not disappoint by trying my best to
explain it.
His windmill action above water has been seen before, not
a complete shock, but it is when we look under-water that
I'm completely flabbergasted...
All the concepts I've known about sprint freestyle are almost
completely contrary with Stefan Nystrand.
Where should I start?
1. He bounces through his stroke, a tighter version of
the body dolphin action, during freestyle??!!
2. He swims "uphill", totally bizzare, but this is what I'm seeing.
You can even pause his stroke in the 25 meter under water angle,
and the result is uncanny. It appears that he rotates from side to side,
so fast, that the resistance from his body position is mitigated.
3. His "catch" stays near the surface, and he begins pulling
immediately, he doesn't wait for his forearm to be perpendicular to
the bottom of the pool. ***GASP*** Instead, he almost drops his
elbow, and pulls at 45 degrees, in exchange for faster tempo, and
the body dolphin.
4. His kick, ummmmm, his kick... What is that? A four-beat freestyle/dolphin blend? It's like his legs are assisting with the upper body set-up and over-all body-dolphin action.... ???!!!????!!!!
Okay folks, not sure what else to say, except.... WOW!
how about this underwater footage of Stefan:
www.youtube.com/watch
some 5 years ago, but almost the same technique today
or this:
www.youtube.com/watch
some 4 years ago
or this from front:
www.youtube.com/watch
Thanks for the links!
The front video really shows how soon his catch is. The instant his hand enters the water, he's pulling his body forward and it's due to the straight arm recovery. That is where he's getting his speed. He is dropping his elbow on the last 1/4 of the pull but he gets his hand back to the catch so quickly where it can do the most good. I wonder how much speed he's getting from his pseudo-dolphin motion in his kick?
It's amazing he has not had any major shoulder problems with that flat body position and windmill stroke.
how about this underwater footage of Stefan:
www.youtube.com/watch
some 5 years ago, but almost the same technique today
or this:
www.youtube.com/watch
some 4 years ago
or this from front:
www.youtube.com/watch
Thanks for the links!
The front video really shows how soon his catch is. The instant his hand enters the water, he's pulling his body forward and it's due to the straight arm recovery. That is where he's getting his speed. He is dropping his elbow on the last 1/4 of the pull but he gets his hand back to the catch so quickly where it can do the most good. I wonder how much speed he's getting from his pseudo-dolphin motion in his kick?
It's amazing he has not had any major shoulder problems with that flat body position and windmill stroke.
