Any old dogs out there trying new tricks? Any younger generation masters swimmers swimming this way?
www.goswim.tv/.../freestyle---loper-drill.html
"In watching the Olympics, we can't help but notice the impact that "lopers" are having in freestyle. While high-rate freestylers and straight-arm freestylers have been getting the most attention this year for the speeds they've achieved, lopers are certainly making a HUGE impact."
Loping, obviously is an asymmetrical stroke. You rely more on one side than the other for propulsion. Certainly it comes naturally to one sided breathers in freestyle, but the video of the backstroke shows it is not just about breathing. And it is not just about upper body either. One arm could be stronger, one leg could be stronger, or both in the right combination (left arm-right leg, or right arm-left leg). Those who throw and kick on opposite sides might be advantaged here.
I took up breathing every third stroke as an adult to help deal with shoulder pain. But it has made me reluctant to swim longer events because I don't get enough wind. Lately I've tried alternately breathing every third with every second stroke, and that's given me better wind, a faster turnover, and a LOPE!
It's more intermittent than Phelps, but it is fun. I have to be careful though, not for my shoulder, but my stroke tends to break down a little. Ahh, it's still new. I'll figure it out.
By the way, I watched the same WR 200 from Phelps above as everyone else, and he never came close to being fully submerged. The woman commentator even remarked about how high he was riding in the water. Even if his head was submerged (maybe), one shoulder or the other was always out. Those who say otherwise, tell me where in the footage?
Loping, obviously is an asymmetrical stroke. You rely more on one side than the other for propulsion. Certainly it comes naturally to one sided breathers in freestyle, but the video of the backstroke shows it is not just about breathing. And it is not just about upper body either. One arm could be stronger, one leg could be stronger, or both in the right combination (left arm-right leg, or right arm-left leg). Those who throw and kick on opposite sides might be advantaged here.
I took up breathing every third stroke as an adult to help deal with shoulder pain. But it has made me reluctant to swim longer events because I don't get enough wind. Lately I've tried alternately breathing every third with every second stroke, and that's given me better wind, a faster turnover, and a LOPE!
It's more intermittent than Phelps, but it is fun. I have to be careful though, not for my shoulder, but my stroke tends to break down a little. Ahh, it's still new. I'll figure it out.
By the way, I watched the same WR 200 from Phelps above as everyone else, and he never came close to being fully submerged. The woman commentator even remarked about how high he was riding in the water. Even if his head was submerged (maybe), one shoulder or the other was always out. Those who say otherwise, tell me where in the footage?
