In breaststroke, why head pops vertically so much?
Former Member
As obvious from watching breaststrokers in the pool, their heads and upper body seem to have more vertical movements than forward movements?? The scene is: up, down, up, down,... Some swimmers seem to be even looking down at the water under their chin, rather than looking forward. Isn't that a lot of waste of energy? Why not flatten and extend your body more and keep parallel to the water so most of the movement is going forward instead of vertical popping? :confused: There must be a reason behind this since a lot (maybe most) of people do so?
Parents
Former Member
Too much up and down movement does slow one down.Look at videos of Kitajima from 2007vs 2008 and you can see he is flatter and faster in 2008.Some up and down movement is necessary however.If you raise your head at the neck to breath your hips will sink,so you should raise at the torso to breath.Go to www.breaststroke.info and read Wayne's articles on"What Went Wrong with the Wave Breaststroke" and "What Went Right with the Wave Breaststroke."
I could not agree more with this post!
Too much up and down movement does slow one down.Look at videos of Kitajima from 2007vs 2008 and you can see he is flatter and faster in 2008.Some up and down movement is necessary however.If you raise your head at the neck to breath your hips will sink,so you should raise at the torso to breath.Go to www.breaststroke.info and read Wayne's articles on"What Went Wrong with the Wave Breaststroke" and "What Went Right with the Wave Breaststroke."
I could not agree more with this post!
