In this video:
www.youtube.com/watch
Dave Scott talks about four common faults:
head position
overreaching
overextension
dropped elbow
In this video:
www.youtube.com/watch
the videographer analyzes Ian Thorpe's stroke, and while I disagree with much of his analysis it is great slow motion video of Thorpe.
BUT, Thorpe enters his right arm fully extended with the elbow and forearm actually entering the water just before the hand does, see attached video frames. This is exactly what Dave Scott describes as overextension.
I am wondering whether it actually makes any difference how you enter the arm if you are fully extending the arm before starting the catch?
I've got to disagree with you. I think ideally your head should be in line with your spine and that means looking directly down at the bottom of the pool. If you do this it's very difficult to look straight ahead. If anything I think swimmers (all swimmers, not just masters) have a tendency to look forward a little too much--simply because they want to look ahead even though it compromises body position a little bit.
Thorpe definitely is looking forward when he swims. I've always wondered how he does that.
I've got to disagree with you. I think ideally your head should be in line with your spine and that means looking directly down at the bottom of the pool. If you do this it's very difficult to look straight ahead. If anything I think swimmers (all swimmers, not just masters) have a tendency to look forward a little too much--simply because they want to look ahead even though it compromises body position a little bit.
Thorpe definitely is looking forward when he swims. I've always wondered how he does that.
