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!
Former Member
It's now late enough in the year for me to throw in my annual reminder of Doc Counsilman's definitive last word to all athletes.
"ALWAYS
ASSERT
ACCELERATI0N"
Whatever sport you watch. Whether it be baseball, basketball, rowing, soccer, football, and, of course, anykind of race, including swimming.
Rob,
Since you weree at nationals...is it safe to say that sprinters are using more of a straight arm recovery for freestyle?
What are your thoughts on it? Good for all distances or mainly 50-200 free?
Does Natalie Coughlin use more of a straight arm recovery?
Ooosc,
You seem to have a lot of inside info reg Stefan. Anything else you can reveal for the rest of us?
:notworthy:
No, some swedish friends told me about it only.
but his training is extremely scientific, with tests of all kinds. of his stroke, to measure power etc.. and lactac acid tests apparently. There are a bunch of videos of the details of his swimming out on youtube. so apparently he uses a lot of videoanalysis as well.
One might also note that Stefan Nystrand isn´t only a fast sprint freestyler but also very accomplished over other distances. He, for instance, holds the Swedish records in both 50 SCM breaststroke with a 27.08 and the 100 IM with a 53.97.
27.08 for 50 ***???!!!
Incredible... he should take the masters 25-29 50 *** WR of 27.69
That makes so much sense now that I watch his freestyle straight on video's... His pull does have that sort of single-arm in-sweep...
The USA Swimming webcast of the 50 at nationals can be seen at swimnetwork.com/index.php . Check out the strokes. And see what the starts and walls do for Lochte, Coughlin and Phelps.
Rob,
Thank you kindly for that link... I thoroughly enjoyed my morning tea, while watching my favorite sport... (it's good to have a healthy network)
Jonathan
Since you weree at nationals...is it safe to say that sprinters are using more of a straight arm recovery for freestyle?The USA Swimming webcast of the 50 at nationals can be seen at swimnetwork.com/index.php . Check out the strokes. And see what the starts and walls do for Lochte, Coughlin and Phelps.
It's now late enough in the year for me to throw in my annual reminder of Doc Counsilman's definitive last word to all athletes.
"ALWAYS
ASSERT
ACCELERATI0N"
Whatever sport you watch. Whether it be baseball, basketball, rowing, soccer, football, and, of course, anykind of race, including swimming.
I appologize. I almost got it right. The exacet quote should have been:
"ALWAYS
ACCENT
ACCELERATION"
One might also note that Stefan Nystrand isn´t only a fast sprint freestyler but also very accomplished over other distances. He, for instance, holds the Swedish records in both 50 SCM breaststroke with a 27.08 and the 100 IM with a 53.97.
At the recent Swedish SCM Nationals he also went a 50 fly on 22 some seconds in the relay as well as a 1.44 split in the 4x200 relay.
Hence, he´s got a magnificient and 21st century technique that somewhat throws old knowledge overboard, but also has developed specific physiological qualities through training.
Noteworthy is also that Therese Alshammar and Lars Frölander train closely to Stefan in Stockholm.
The USA Swimming webcast of the 50 at nationals can be seen at swimnetwork.com/index.php . Check out the strokes. And see what the starts and walls do for Lochte, Coughlin and Phelps.
After watching the 200 IM again I was a little amused by the reaction from Lochte... He seemed disappointed with the 1:40.08... Quote. "Well I wanted to be under 1:40"
I suppose there's not really much to say, but I would have loved to interview him post race...
