I find it much harder to reduce the stroke per length in backstroke than in free. In free, you can glide a long distance in each stroke, but not so in backstroke. What should I work on, the pull, or the kick, or the coordination of the hand and leg? Appreciate any comments.
Parents
Former Member
I'm not going to pretend to know a lot about backstroke. I haven't spent much time with it. So, I'm not disagreeing with anyone about what is the "best" way to do it. I'll just provide some food for thought.
Some of the technique that has been passed on to me regarding backstroke is as follows:
1. A deep catch is both inefficient and weak in comparison to a shallow early catch or anchor position.
2. A quick snappy rotation or flatter stroke allows for greater stroke rate. Stroke rate is very important in backstroke.
3. The amount of rotation is dictated by the catch. If the goal is a quick anchor position, then only a that amount of rotation is necessary.
Again, I'm not saying I believe this to be gospel. Instead, I think it is much like freestyle where it is very individual. Some swimmers work well with an open, windmill recovery. Others do better with a high elbow freestyle. So, whatever works for you. But with all the contradictory opinion on technique, I think it has become incorrect to attempt to apply blanket principles.
You've got to experiment and find out what is fastest for the individual.
I'm not going to pretend to know a lot about backstroke. I haven't spent much time with it. So, I'm not disagreeing with anyone about what is the "best" way to do it. I'll just provide some food for thought.
Some of the technique that has been passed on to me regarding backstroke is as follows:
1. A deep catch is both inefficient and weak in comparison to a shallow early catch or anchor position.
2. A quick snappy rotation or flatter stroke allows for greater stroke rate. Stroke rate is very important in backstroke.
3. The amount of rotation is dictated by the catch. If the goal is a quick anchor position, then only a that amount of rotation is necessary.
Again, I'm not saying I believe this to be gospel. Instead, I think it is much like freestyle where it is very individual. Some swimmers work well with an open, windmill recovery. Others do better with a high elbow freestyle. So, whatever works for you. But with all the contradictory opinion on technique, I think it has become incorrect to attempt to apply blanket principles.
You've got to experiment and find out what is fastest for the individual.
