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
The down side is it increases the "slipstreaming" effect as a "current" starts to develop along the common direction lane line.
You consider this a down side?
Oh, that's right, you said "as a coach." :)
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.
I breath to the left but feel comfortable turning either way. I always end up swimming right under some one. It is really embarrassing if it is a woman with large breasts.
In Islam going one direction is bad. Remember the scene in Midnight Train(?).
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.
Everyone switched just to accomodate one swimmer?
I coach in the UK. In a six lane pool, lanes 1, 3 and 5 swim clockwise and lanes 2, 4 and 6 anti clockwise.
This way, as Geochuck says, all swimmers swim next to the lane rope in the same direction so there's no clash of hands.
The freestylers who breathe on their left always swim clockwise and those who breathe on the right choose to go in the anti-clockwise lanes. This avoids bashing the lane rope with the elbow on the non-breathing side.
Sound like common sense to me.
I have not heard of that, but I think I'll give it a try on the nights that I have the whole pool for practice...good suggestion.
It can be used in 2, 3 or 4 lanes. Don't need the whole pool to try it.
1 lane counter clockwise, next lane clockwise, next clockwise, and continue.
I used to do this in my 3 lane instruction pool.
It can be used in 2, 3 or 4 lanes. Don't need the whole pool to try it.
1 lane counter clockwise, next lane clockwise, next clockwise, and continue.
I used to do this in my 3 lane instruction pool.
:doh: haha! Can you tell that it's gonna be a rough day over here?!
You can tell I am in a bad way :doh: haha! Can you tell that it's gonna be a rough day over here?!
It should have been -
It can be used in 2, 3 or 4 lanes. Don't need the whole pool to try it.
1 lane counter clockwise, next lane clockwise, next counter clockwise, and continue.
I used to do this in my 3 lane instruction pool
