Hi, I'm new to the board. I've read a lot of posts and think this is a great resource for people. Anyhow, a little background. My 8 year-old son, who has Asperger's syndrome and it's associated errrrr...lack of athleticism, is on the neighborhood swimming team. Surprisingly he really seems to enjoy swimming and gets excited about his improvements. He has improved from a 44 second 25 yard time to 34 seconds in this, his first year. I have never swam competitively but given his interest in swimming, I've developed a similar interest and have been reading about stroke mechanics while watching lots of video of Ian Thorpe and Alexander Popov. Of course I practice it on myself and have become infinitely better. I've been trying to teach my son proper technique as well, with some success. While other kids his age on the team (many more experienced) more or less bully their way through the water faster than him, I don't let him pull as hard as he can or stroke as hard as he can for obvious reasons...so he learns better. He will be taking lessons soon from one of the student coaches, although I'm a little weary about it because they may teach him their own bad habits (not that I'm not, lol). For example, pretty much all the older kids on the team do the classic S-shaped scull.
My question is as follows; I am trying to teach him the high elbow and getting a feel for "hard water". We're also working on timing his hip rotation to use that vertical forearm. As you can imagine, it's difficult for him to rotate the arm and shoulder like that during the stroke, although he can on dry land. I noticed Popov pronating his hand (palm facing out) in the beginning of his catch, which I imagine does 2 things; one, scull a little, and two, get him into the EVF. Is this a pretty standard thing? I don't see Thorpe do it on video, but maybe I'm not seeing it well amid the bubbles. I myself have more or less been able to get a reasonable EVF without pronation, but maybe I should do the same? The second question is do most of you prefer the front quadrant style? Again, Thorpe begins his catch as his recovering arm passes his head and he starts rotating, while Popov begins his catch earlier.
If you could give me advise on these issues, particularly as it pertains to teaching a child, I would be appreciative. Sorry for the lengthy post.
Parents
Former Member
Hi!
Each stroke has four quadrants, the first begins with the entry and the catch, the second is the power phase, the third is the when the stroke ends and the fourth is the recovery ( a little more complicated buy that's it in a nutshell). I notice that swimmers tend to over-emphasize the sculling so I de-empasize it. I put my swimmers, young and old, on a surfboard, cheap rectangular raft, or rescue board and have them paddle across the pool. Tell them to extend and rotate (EVF). When I talk about EVF I tell them to surfboard swim and they get it. We also have every swimmer from 4 to 100 perform EVF isometrics and shoulder cuff exercises ( with other exercises) at every practice, so they're strong enough to get into that position safely. I have swimmers improve their EVF and who have had severe shoulder problems train without aggravating their shoulder. Swimmers from 5 to 100 should be working on exercises that help them become more athletic and exercises to help them swim faster (they're not the same but both are important).
Go to youtube or google and type in EVF + Swimming and you'll get a good idea of what to do. It take 6 to 8 weeks of consistent EVF training to form that habit, so be patient. I also have swimmers exaggerate the extension of the freestyle by having them swim on their side while looking at the bottom of the pool. When they can begin establishing a catch in a streamlined position, WOW - they start looking like Olympians.
I think your focus on technique will go a long way in creating a foundation to help your swimmer find success. If you watch the Olympic trials you'll see the kind of strokes you want your swimmer copying. Good luck, Coach T.
Hi!
Each stroke has four quadrants, the first begins with the entry and the catch, the second is the power phase, the third is the when the stroke ends and the fourth is the recovery ( a little more complicated buy that's it in a nutshell). I notice that swimmers tend to over-emphasize the sculling so I de-empasize it. I put my swimmers, young and old, on a surfboard, cheap rectangular raft, or rescue board and have them paddle across the pool. Tell them to extend and rotate (EVF). When I talk about EVF I tell them to surfboard swim and they get it. We also have every swimmer from 4 to 100 perform EVF isometrics and shoulder cuff exercises ( with other exercises) at every practice, so they're strong enough to get into that position safely. I have swimmers improve their EVF and who have had severe shoulder problems train without aggravating their shoulder. Swimmers from 5 to 100 should be working on exercises that help them become more athletic and exercises to help them swim faster (they're not the same but both are important).
Go to youtube or google and type in EVF + Swimming and you'll get a good idea of what to do. It take 6 to 8 weeks of consistent EVF training to form that habit, so be patient. I also have swimmers exaggerate the extension of the freestyle by having them swim on their side while looking at the bottom of the pool. When they can begin establishing a catch in a streamlined position, WOW - they start looking like Olympians.
I think your focus on technique will go a long way in creating a foundation to help your swimmer find success. If you watch the Olympic trials you'll see the kind of strokes you want your swimmer copying. Good luck, Coach T.
