Hello,
I recently took up swimming (October) @ age 43 and have never done much else than splash around in a pool.
I trained myself using Total Immersion (I have been looking at the forums here and I suspsect I just threw a hand grenade into this thread :) )
As with other skills I have learned, I feel one has to develop their own form and style - so I am not following TI by the book....
Anyway, this is the first time I have seen myself swimming and I see some errors:
a. rolling too far to breath or simply turning my head to breathe
b. head position
c. legs uselessly kicking around..
video of me swimming:
link.
any pointers on how to
a. work my kick into my stroke better.
b. work on body roll.
Anyway, I have to say I LOVE swimming. to me its like mediation, excercise, pilates, dance, and flying all in one.
I wish i had discovered it sooner, but better late then never.
Anyway, I welcome your feedback.
Parents
Former Member
I have no quarrel with TI per se. It has its place for many people.
A few observations:
1. When you breathe, especially left, you look at the sky. No need to turn your head anymore than required to get a clean breath of air. Don't look up, look to the side. If you do this to give you more time to breathe perhaps you are not exhaling enough before your mouth clears the water.
2. Your right hand enters the water way too close to your head. Then you extend the hand underwater forward before you begin your pull. Extending your hand causes "push drag" which means you are pushing water against the direction you are going. I suggest extending your reach before the hand enters the water.
3. I think your body position, elbows, are really pretty good.
4. I don't think your kick is by any means awful. Many experienced swimmers kick only enough to keep their legs from sinking - especially in practice and for longer swims. This is probably not the right thing for racing shorter races. You can do what I have heard called the 90/10 drill which means attempt to make 90% of your propulsion happen with your legs. That will get you used to the feeling of a strong rapid kick.
If you want to compare to some elite swimmers - I suggest going to Youtube and search for "Popov freestyle" or "Ian Thorpe freestyle" or "Grant Hackett freestyle".
I have no quarrel with TI per se. It has its place for many people.
A few observations:
1. When you breathe, especially left, you look at the sky. No need to turn your head anymore than required to get a clean breath of air. Don't look up, look to the side. If you do this to give you more time to breathe perhaps you are not exhaling enough before your mouth clears the water.
2. Your right hand enters the water way too close to your head. Then you extend the hand underwater forward before you begin your pull. Extending your hand causes "push drag" which means you are pushing water against the direction you are going. I suggest extending your reach before the hand enters the water.
3. I think your body position, elbows, are really pretty good.
4. I don't think your kick is by any means awful. Many experienced swimmers kick only enough to keep their legs from sinking - especially in practice and for longer swims. This is probably not the right thing for racing shorter races. You can do what I have heard called the 90/10 drill which means attempt to make 90% of your propulsion happen with your legs. That will get you used to the feeling of a strong rapid kick.
If you want to compare to some elite swimmers - I suggest going to Youtube and search for "Popov freestyle" or "Ian Thorpe freestyle" or "Grant Hackett freestyle".
