List Your TOP Focus Points - All Strokes, Starts, Turns!
Former Member
Hello to ALL !
I think we might all really benefit from a large-scale collective exchange of our personal treasure troves of time-tested "focus points" for all strokes, turns, starts, and pre-swim/pre-race preparations.
Maybe we can all cut-n-paste these lists for our own future reference. I will try a few categories to start.
Looking forward to your participation!
Freestyle:
1. train flutter kick aerobically (500y sets twice weekly)
2. breath every stroke on 100y races and higher (except breakout/finish)
3. use side SDK to transition to break-out (on turns)
4. stretch ankles at home (really helps)
Breaststroke:
1. breath late (as hands just start to shoot ahead
2. train 25 sprints with pull buoy (no kicking)
3. train this stroke towards end of workout (to avoid knee injury)
Butterfly:
1. enter hands slightly wider than shoulders (any closer is wasted energy)
2. round-off hand-exit at hips (to aid arm receovery)
3. use side SDK to transition to break-out (on turns)
Pre-Race Ideas:
1. do several near-race-pace sprints 20-30 minutes before any sprint race to get the muscles and heart/lungs primed for racing (this is the trend)
2. have a good bowel movement before racing (really helps!)
3. use the Phelps "double swim cap" method (minimizes goggle issues)
to be continued.........
:D
Parents
Former Member
I think you can see where my priorities lie and that I only really "compete" in open water.
Freestyle:
Do it in a straight line.
Be able to breath on either side.
Looking up to see where I'm going without interrupting my stroke
Lower stroke count
Breaststroke
Glide
Transition to and from freestyle easily
Not hyperextend my neck
Be able to use it as a resting stroke.
Backstroke
Be able to do it when the coach says to to a 100 IM.
Not get run over by the old ladies who share my lane and excel at backstroke.
Butterfly
Look good while doing it.
Not get my hands caught in the lane lines.
I think you can see where my priorities lie and that I only really "compete" in open water.
Freestyle:
Do it in a straight line.
Be able to breath on either side.
Looking up to see where I'm going without interrupting my stroke
Lower stroke count
Breaststroke
Glide
Transition to and from freestyle easily
Not hyperextend my neck
Be able to use it as a resting stroke.
Backstroke
Be able to do it when the coach says to to a 100 IM.
Not get run over by the old ladies who share my lane and excel at backstroke.
Butterfly
Look good while doing it.
Not get my hands caught in the lane lines.
