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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Former Member
Also, another question. 99% of the time when I turn to take a breath I seem to be breathing in water. I can't figure out how to make this stop. I feel like I am rotating my head (and body) to the side, but I am still sucking in water. I don't think I am making a "bow wave," so that may be the problem, but I don't know how to do that....
I know I am asking a lot of questions, I'm just trying to get this right...:)
Get a friend with a digital camera with video capture mode to video your stroke and post it on youtube. Then we can tell you what you are doing wrong.
Alternately, try pushing off on your side with one arm extended in front, the other at your side. You should be able to turn your head minimally and breath easily. Then recover the arm at your side and pull with the extend arm to switch to gliding/kicking on the other side. This gliding/kicking/stroking should allow you to play with your balance in the water and learn to breath in a relaxed way. Check out the Total Immersion web site for more details.
Also, another question. 99% of the time when I turn to take a breath I seem to be breathing in water. I can't figure out how to make this stop. I feel like I am rotating my head (and body) to the side, but I am still sucking in water. I don't think I am making a "bow wave," so that may be the problem, but I don't know how to do that....
I know I am asking a lot of questions, I'm just trying to get this right...:)
Get a friend with a digital camera with video capture mode to video your stroke and post it on youtube. Then we can tell you what you are doing wrong.
Alternately, try pushing off on your side with one arm extended in front, the other at your side. You should be able to turn your head minimally and breath easily. Then recover the arm at your side and pull with the extend arm to switch to gliding/kicking on the other side. This gliding/kicking/stroking should allow you to play with your balance in the water and learn to breath in a relaxed way. Check out the Total Immersion web site for more details.
