All,
I swim with a masters group a few times a week.
In full stroke freestyle over 800m I keep pace with a number of my peers, but lose about 50m over 800m when we switch to arms only w/ pull buoy.
Clearly an opportunity for improvement - but I'm a little stumped. My kick is not strong - frankly I struggle on kick sets.
I'd be interested in any thoughts on what I might be doing wrong (or doing so right when I add the legs).
I shoud probably add, I've been working on this for some time and its baffled a fair few coaches!
Guyster.
Parents
Former Member
I'm faster with the buoy on distance sets as well. Probably because the legs are relaxed and don't burn up as much oxygen.
But to answer your question...you may not be rolling from side to side with the buoy attached. Even a wimpy 2 beat kick allows for core rotation which connects your hips to the arm movement. So you don't have to be a strong kicker to swim faster.
It's the leverage from each leg beat which gives your arms and torso something to lean into when they pull back.
My guess is that you're swimming flat with the buoy...and with little rotation.
Next time with the buoy, try rolling more, with a simulated kick, and see what happens.
Those inner tubes remind me of the Medieval swimming days.
When coaches said "pain is good". Man were they brutal. :eek:
I'm faster with the buoy on distance sets as well. Probably because the legs are relaxed and don't burn up as much oxygen.
But to answer your question...you may not be rolling from side to side with the buoy attached. Even a wimpy 2 beat kick allows for core rotation which connects your hips to the arm movement. So you don't have to be a strong kicker to swim faster.
It's the leverage from each leg beat which gives your arms and torso something to lean into when they pull back.
My guess is that you're swimming flat with the buoy...and with little rotation.
Next time with the buoy, try rolling more, with a simulated kick, and see what happens.
Those inner tubes remind me of the Medieval swimming days.
When coaches said "pain is good". Man were they brutal. :eek:
