Hi, I am a new swimmer, just making sure that I get my technique right in the freestyle stroke.
I have been watching videos of elites, and it looks like at the point of entry of the arm extended, the hand stays in that position (barely underwater) for several moments before it moves quickly back to the thigh and out of the water. Is there supposed to be that sort of "pause" before the ballistic motion of swinging the arm back (in the windmill fashion)?
This video has a good example of what I'm talking about - www.youtube.com/watch
Does that look like the right technique overall for the freestyle stroke? It seems kind of off to me.
Also, I guess I don't really understand how to breathe properly. When I turn my head to the side I often suck in water. In the videos of the elite races I can't even see their face come out of the water! How do you get the breath?
Thanks for your help.
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Hi, I am a new swimmer, just making sure that I get my technique right in the freestyle stroke.
I have been watching videos of elites, and it looks like at the point of entry of the arm extended, the hand stays in that position (barely underwater) for several moments before it moves quickly back to the thigh and out of the water. Is there supposed to be that sort of "pause" before the ballistic motion of swinging the arm back (in the windmill fashion)? ...
Does that look like the right technique overall for the freestyle stroke? It seems kind of off to me.
What seems off about it? They are trying to maintain a streamlined position for as long as possible between strokes. Water is nearly 900 times denser than air, you get more forward momentum by streamlining as much as you can and slipping through it than by trying to muscle through it.
Also, I guess I don't really understand how to breathe properly. When I turn my head to the side I often suck in water. In the videos of the elite races I can't even see their face come out of the water! How do you get the breath?
Thanks for your help.
If you are swimming flat on your stomach and trying to turn your face out of the water, it's a sure recipe for a sore neck and/or inhaling water. Your whole body rotates (roughly 30 to 45 degrees) and your head follows your shoulder around. The stroke is sort of like "skating" from side to side, with your body sides as the skate blade.
Hi, I am a new swimmer, just making sure that I get my technique right in the freestyle stroke.
I have been watching videos of elites, and it looks like at the point of entry of the arm extended, the hand stays in that position (barely underwater) for several moments before it moves quickly back to the thigh and out of the water. Is there supposed to be that sort of "pause" before the ballistic motion of swinging the arm back (in the windmill fashion)? ...
Does that look like the right technique overall for the freestyle stroke? It seems kind of off to me.
What seems off about it? They are trying to maintain a streamlined position for as long as possible between strokes. Water is nearly 900 times denser than air, you get more forward momentum by streamlining as much as you can and slipping through it than by trying to muscle through it.
Also, I guess I don't really understand how to breathe properly. When I turn my head to the side I often suck in water. In the videos of the elite races I can't even see their face come out of the water! How do you get the breath?
Thanks for your help.
If you are swimming flat on your stomach and trying to turn your face out of the water, it's a sure recipe for a sore neck and/or inhaling water. Your whole body rotates (roughly 30 to 45 degrees) and your head follows your shoulder around. The stroke is sort of like "skating" from side to side, with your body sides as the skate blade.
