alternate breathing

This video of Michael Phelps was posted on another thread. It made me wonder whether his asymmetric stroke had more to with his submerged style of swimming than having a weak side. He is totally submerged for a good part of the stroke. I was also struck that he breathed very early, almost in the end of the pull and very early part of the recovery, like in fly. Here is another video showing how unsual Phelp's freestyle stroke is. Chris Thompson's stroke seems to be elegant, smooth; Phelp's asymetrical, powerful and jerky almost struggling. Top view camera shows his breathing style to be indeed similar to one-arm butterfly. I admire Phelp's power and speed, however, i would not suggest for somebody to follow mechanics of his freestyle stroke. youtube.com/watch For freestyle stroke mechanics, I would also recommend "smooth swimming" youtube.com/watch From my experience, as a recreational master swimmer that relies solely on the internet for swimming technique tips, in bilateral breathing it is important to pay attention to long and short axis body balance. This balance feel very natural on the dominant side, however, it is akward or missing on the other side - kicking can help to maintain balance and smoothness.

This video of Michael Phelps was posted on another thread. It made me wonder whether his asymmetric stroke had more to with his submerged style of swimming than having a weak side. He is totally submerged for a good part of the stroke. I was also struck that he breathed very early, almost in the end of the pull and very early part of the recovery, like in fly. Here is another video showing how unsual Phelp's freestyle stroke is. Chris Thompson's stroke seems to be elegant, smooth; Phelp's asymetrical, powerful and jerky almost struggling. Top view camera shows his breathing style to be indeed similar to one-arm butterfly. I admire Phelp's power and speed, however, i would not suggest for somebody to follow mechanics of his freestyle stroke. youtube.com/watch For freestyle stroke mechanics, I would also recommend "smooth swimming" youtube.com/watch From my experience, as a recreational master swimmer that relies solely on the internet for swimming technique tips, in bilateral breathing it is important to pay attention to long and short axis body balance. This balance feel very natural on the dominant side, however, it is akward or missing on the other side - kicking can help to maintain balance and smoothness.