What did you struggle with when you started swimming?
Former Member
Basically, what did you struggle with when you started swimming and how old were you? I kind of want to see if others have had the same troubles as I.
I just started swimming recreational this year. I am 20 and started due to my knees starting to bother me more by running, which I usually do.
There are a few things I can't seem to get the hang of:
1.) I can't last very long in freestyle. I can only do 75 at most before I have to stop. I think this is due to my breathing pattern.
2.) My kick is pretty weak, when I use a kick board I don't go fast at all. Due to being a runner before I guess this is a common problem.
3.) I'm trying to get the hang of flip turns but my push off is the problem. I'm trying to push off with my head faced up but I always seem to suck in some water for some reason and have to re-surface fast for air.
4.) I'm also having a hard time with the fast dolphin kick that most people use when coming out of a flip turn.
I was just looking for ways/drills to improve in these areas. I just want to be able to swim at length instead of stopping constantly.
Feel free to share. Also, any help would be greatly appreciated:afraid:
Parents
Former Member
As far as flip turns, this web site has a sequence of five video drills that does a good job of teaching them.
www.goswim.tv/.../turns-freestyle-flip-turn-step-1.html
By which I mean it worked for me.
Thanks a lot of that! I usually use my hands a little to make it easier to turn. I'll have to try it without using my hands next time.
1) You just need to build up some endurance. I think in a few weeks you should be able to swim most distances without too much trouble. There is nothing wrong with breathing every other stroke.
2) Kicking slow is a common problem. I kick at a medium pace, after much effort to improve. Ankle flexibility is usually a problem with runners, and running does not translate to kicking at all. You just have to work on your kick a lot. This is something that will not change quick, so put fast kick on your long term goals list.
3) Practice! Sounds like you are on the right track, just exhale slowly through the turn. As a runner, you should have the lung capacity needed (at least SOMETHING translates). Maybe your are not taking a deep enough breath going into the turn. Your breathing should be even on each breath, but maybe you need to suck a little extra air going into turns until you get the hang of it.
4) LOL. Most people? Come swim with my team for a while. Sounds like you ended up on a good fast team, that use the latest trends in swimming. Your dolphin kick will need just as much work as your flutter kick that you were complaining about being slow earlier.
Thanks a lot for the advice! I've been trying to work on my kick for quite sometime. I looked up some drills that seem to work for most people, like the Vertical kick drill. I've also tried to use the kick board but I haven't seen much improvement from it. I heard flippers also help with ankle flexibility and strengthening the muscles used when kicking, is that correct?
As for the dolphin kicks out of the flip turn, I watched my college swim team a couple times through the season and most of the summers used it. Also, some of my friends that were swimmers in highschool do the same when coming out of flip turns so I figured it was a good practice.
BTW, I wouldn't worry about the dolphins of the wall if you are only swimming 75 at a time at the moment.
True. I don't worry about it to much, its just something I usually practice at the end of my workout to get an idea of what I need to work on.
As far as flip turns, this web site has a sequence of five video drills that does a good job of teaching them.
www.goswim.tv/.../turns-freestyle-flip-turn-step-1.html
By which I mean it worked for me.
Thanks a lot of that! I usually use my hands a little to make it easier to turn. I'll have to try it without using my hands next time.
1) You just need to build up some endurance. I think in a few weeks you should be able to swim most distances without too much trouble. There is nothing wrong with breathing every other stroke.
2) Kicking slow is a common problem. I kick at a medium pace, after much effort to improve. Ankle flexibility is usually a problem with runners, and running does not translate to kicking at all. You just have to work on your kick a lot. This is something that will not change quick, so put fast kick on your long term goals list.
3) Practice! Sounds like you are on the right track, just exhale slowly through the turn. As a runner, you should have the lung capacity needed (at least SOMETHING translates). Maybe your are not taking a deep enough breath going into the turn. Your breathing should be even on each breath, but maybe you need to suck a little extra air going into turns until you get the hang of it.
4) LOL. Most people? Come swim with my team for a while. Sounds like you ended up on a good fast team, that use the latest trends in swimming. Your dolphin kick will need just as much work as your flutter kick that you were complaining about being slow earlier.
Thanks a lot for the advice! I've been trying to work on my kick for quite sometime. I looked up some drills that seem to work for most people, like the Vertical kick drill. I've also tried to use the kick board but I haven't seen much improvement from it. I heard flippers also help with ankle flexibility and strengthening the muscles used when kicking, is that correct?
As for the dolphin kicks out of the flip turn, I watched my college swim team a couple times through the season and most of the summers used it. Also, some of my friends that were swimmers in highschool do the same when coming out of flip turns so I figured it was a good practice.
BTW, I wouldn't worry about the dolphins of the wall if you are only swimming 75 at a time at the moment.
True. I don't worry about it to much, its just something I usually practice at the end of my workout to get an idea of what I need to work on.
