Hello all,
I used to be a competitive swimmer and received extensive technique trainings with my stokes. From what I remember, during a stroke, while reaching just before touching the water, hands will go in the water like a knife (turned inwards ) insead of going flat smashing the water without causing any shock between water and hands (like slapping water). From what I have been watching, Michael Phelps is using a hand movement which is really flat and just reaching out , making a pull in both strokes. Is there anyone who can tell me which is better and should I change my technique in my hands?
Thanks
Parents
Former Member
Hello again,
I quit competing in 1993 when I was 15 and was a sprinter in fly/freestyle sometimes in IM too. Have injuries on my right side (shoulder, knee and ankle) not related with swimming though.
Changing my technique in my hands to the flat position may increase my speed as well as lessening the tension on my shoulder. I kept watching Phelps technique on the fly again and again and yes his hand movements sometimes rotate like a knife but definitely for the freestyle a flat movement is visible.
Thank god that people are still flip turning and my techniqes are so far not that bad but I am keeping an open mind to update/improve myself.
Regarding to body posture and head movements, we were always tought to look down and have total control of our movements. Unfortunately I have a habit of looking around and checking/ comparing/ adjusting my speed with people in the other lanes, which probably I need to get rid of. Sometimes my lane gets so crowded and we keep hitting eachother, I never bruised this bad in my life. My right hand is always black with a bump as if I punched someone. So as long as I am alone I will keep my head down I promise :)
Thank you all for your comments and I will continue updating myself, this is why I am back in school and loving it.
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year
G
Hello again,
I quit competing in 1993 when I was 15 and was a sprinter in fly/freestyle sometimes in IM too. Have injuries on my right side (shoulder, knee and ankle) not related with swimming though.
Changing my technique in my hands to the flat position may increase my speed as well as lessening the tension on my shoulder. I kept watching Phelps technique on the fly again and again and yes his hand movements sometimes rotate like a knife but definitely for the freestyle a flat movement is visible.
Thank god that people are still flip turning and my techniqes are so far not that bad but I am keeping an open mind to update/improve myself.
Regarding to body posture and head movements, we were always tought to look down and have total control of our movements. Unfortunately I have a habit of looking around and checking/ comparing/ adjusting my speed with people in the other lanes, which probably I need to get rid of. Sometimes my lane gets so crowded and we keep hitting eachother, I never bruised this bad in my life. My right hand is always black with a bump as if I punched someone. So as long as I am alone I will keep my head down I promise :)
Thank you all for your comments and I will continue updating myself, this is why I am back in school and loving it.
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year
G
