This is a strange one so bear with me...
I have become addicted to swimming as a result of my son taking to the sport. So, I asked him a breathing question today and I found out that he exhales/inhales with his head out for *** and free, and inhales/exhales out on butterfly. His form is right on and I never would have known (I haven't had a chance to tell the coach yet).
On his *** - head comes out every stroke
On free - head out every 3rd (alternate breathing)
On fly - head out every other
ok...my questions are:
How can he be swimming faster consistently at each meet and maintaining his form (sprint and longer events) while breathing this way? He is one of the fastest on his year-round team in his age group. What is he losing by doing this? Or, the better question might be, what could he gain by learning the traditional breathing out under water method? He is very good at staying under water after the turn and can do a proper breakout and he doesn't typically look winded like the other kids.
And, if this were a drill, would there be any benefits?
Thanks!
Parents
Former Member
The only time I talk technique with my two swimming daughters,(Senior in College, Junior in HS) is when I have a question about MY technique. Growing up I would sometimes ask them what the coach said about certain things, but did not coach. True Story: I did however coach one of my daughters softball teams in the 9-11 age catagory one season. EVERY practice, at the end of practice, they would do a drill which consisted of hitting a ball off a T, then run to first....with the emphasis on running THRU the bag at first... I mean EVERY practice we did this. During our end of year tourney, girl hits ball, runs to first, slows down as she gets to the bag, and is thrown out by an inch. Coaching at first I hear over my shoulder, "Geez, you would think that they would work in practice on running thru the bag.!" Moral: Sometimes you can work on something but nothing happens until one day "click". Just make sure he is getting good instruction...then trust the coach. Just my $.02 as well
Here is something I suggest all swim parents read, especially the new ones to the sport.
www.clubwolverine.org/.../Top10WaystoSabatogeKids.pdf
#9 under the coaching part refers to your moral above.
I have seen numerous parents like the ones Leonard portrays and it is tough to let them know that it really matters when their kids are older.
The only time I talk technique with my two swimming daughters,(Senior in College, Junior in HS) is when I have a question about MY technique. Growing up I would sometimes ask them what the coach said about certain things, but did not coach. True Story: I did however coach one of my daughters softball teams in the 9-11 age catagory one season. EVERY practice, at the end of practice, they would do a drill which consisted of hitting a ball off a T, then run to first....with the emphasis on running THRU the bag at first... I mean EVERY practice we did this. During our end of year tourney, girl hits ball, runs to first, slows down as she gets to the bag, and is thrown out by an inch. Coaching at first I hear over my shoulder, "Geez, you would think that they would work in practice on running thru the bag.!" Moral: Sometimes you can work on something but nothing happens until one day "click". Just make sure he is getting good instruction...then trust the coach. Just my $.02 as well
Here is something I suggest all swim parents read, especially the new ones to the sport.
www.clubwolverine.org/.../Top10WaystoSabatogeKids.pdf
#9 under the coaching part refers to your moral above.
I have seen numerous parents like the ones Leonard portrays and it is tough to let them know that it really matters when their kids are older.
