Question for swimmers and coaches out there -
Can Clockwise swimming help improve your stroke?
Quick background: My coach has implemented clockwise swimming (swimming on the left side of the pool) for warm-up and has received a lot resistance from longtime swimmers.
My coach explained that a lot of the swimmers are shortening up the right arm to make a turn during normal counter clockwise swimming. We also swim in a extra wide lanes in a 25 meter pool (the pool has individual lanes and we move the lane lines over to allow for circle swimming); which the coach thinks for the reason of shortening and crossing over the right arm.
For myself, I find that I have learned to flip turn on the opposite side but I find that I get so confused during warm-up and worried about the swimmer behind me running into me because they moved over too far (we have had some close calls in the water).
Anyone had any experience with swim practice that changes directions (swimming clockwise then counter clockwise)? Any advantages/disadvantages?
Thanks, John
At my old masters team we had an Australian swimming with us. She was used to swimming clock wise so we changed the direction for her. It was not easy at first but then became easier and now I'm glad I can swim and flip turn both ways. It helps when I get in a meet because I'm not circle swimming as much since I can go either way. I don't remember us having any problems with collisions.
I think it would help your stroke. Let us know how it goes after a few weeks.
At my old masters team we had an Australian swimming with us. She was used to swimming clock wise so we changed the direction for her. It was not easy at first but then became easier and now I'm glad I can swim and flip turn both ways. It helps when I get in a meet because I'm not circle swimming as much since I can go either way. I don't remember us having any problems with collisions.
I think it would help your stroke. Let us know how it goes after a few weeks.
