I learned to swim as an adult a couple of years ago. When I started the front crawl, I would focus on being "long" in the water - i.e., really reaching with the forward hand on each stroke, and not pulling until the trailing hand entered the water (the TI front quadrant swimming concept).
But over time, my shoulders would bother me. And I recently learned that swimming with high elbows (envisioning your arm going over a barrel) is better for your shoulders. I was definitely dropping my elbows before.
The problem I'm having is that when I swim with high elbows, I feel like I'm not as "long" in the water, that I get less glide, and that generally, I have to work a lot harder (though my shoulders feel better). One obvious thing I've noticed is that with a high elbow stroke, I can't seem to keep my leading arm out in front until my trailing arm catches up.
Any thoughts? Thanks.
Edit: I should add that I'm a recreational swimmer, so technique that is easier on the shoulder is preferred to a technique that may be better for competitive swimmers but is more stressful to the shoulder joint.
Interesting the style differences between top swimmers. The goal should be to spot what's common and try to emulate that, like catching then pull with both hand and forearm.
Thorpe looks forward all the time but I read one should have head positioned neutral
Former Member
I would rather see your stroke before you attempt EVF, there may be a simple solution. Keep it simple.
Former Member
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The best way to get good slippage for your body is to keep it long and narrow, like a racing boat (as opposed to a barge). This long and narrow "vessel shape" is best achieved by keeping your body flat and straight in the water. From the floating exercise above, you know that flat is more easy to accomplish with your arms out in front, hence the popularity of FQS (front quadrant swimming). Another good thing to keep in mind is keeping your hips up. This all helps you to stay well streamlined and balanced in the water... and swimming efficiency is ALL ABOUT good streamlining and balance.
:)
This is where you mentioned keeping the body flat in the water. That's why I was asking for clarification on this comment
Former Member
Solar the old phrase swim like a fish is a very false statemnt. Fish do a fishtail movement. This action is not streamlined. It only would work if we had a fishes tail fins. I kind of agree here. That's why I prefer (and used) the expression "becoming more and more like a fish".
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Serpico, I found this clip here which shows an interesting approach in the form of a drill (or so it looks to me) that seems to be a nice way to work on modulating the way you catch. What I mean by modulating is really about getting used to catch at various depth (this drill focuses on catching deeper while still swimming front quadrant).
I am not suggesting that you should use this technique in your full stroke, but I find this clip to be interesting for you since it is indirectly advocating catching in a way that is safe for shoulder articulation.
Moreover, I believe it may have been inspired by TI's approach. As far as I am concerned, that helps correcting a misconception (at least in my mind) that TI would be (wrongly) advocating longish glides at the front
YouTube - Patient Catch - Total Immersion clip
Without having seen you I'd say it would be safe to give this drill/approach a try.
Former Member
Head position is regulated by an individuals bouyancy. The head position along with many other things vary to make a complete stroke. Distance swimmers will carry their heads lower then sprinters generally but there is no oneway catches all.
You will also notice that TI is an always changing theory based on new stuff that comes about. So you will find that TI is ever changing. What TI taught originally is not what they try to do now.
To me the patient catch in that video is not very practicle.
Former Member
To me the patient catch in that video is not very practicle. It's just a drill George, nothing more than a little harmless drill.
Drills should be specific to any issue one might need to solve. In other words, I agree with you that if you're not facing the same challenge that the op is facing, this patient catch drill is probably irrelevant for you.
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"Originally Posted by bud View Post"
... is best achieved by keeping your body flat and straight in the water."
This is where you mentioned keeping the body flat in the water. That's why I was asking for clarification on this comment right statement, wrong author though. I am Solar and he is Bud.
Charles
Former Member
It's just a drill George, nothing more than a little harmless drill.
Drills should be specific to any issue one might need to solve. In other words, I agree with you that if you're not facing the same challenge that the op is facing, this patient catch drill is probably irrelevant for you.
Drills are not harmless if you incorporate it into your stroke. A drill if you do them should be specifically done to help incorporate the drll points into your stroke.
Former Member
It's just a drill George, nothing more than a little harmless drill.
Drills should be specific to any issue one might need to solve. In other words, I agree with you that if you're not facing the same challenge that the op is facing, this patient catch drill is probably irrelevant for you.
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"Originally Posted by bud View Post"
... is best achieved by keeping your body flat and straight in the water."
right statement, wrong author though. I am Solar and he is Bud.
Charles
My apologies Solar. I wasn't paying attention.
I've been focusing on the technique ever since this thread started. I can definately feel improvement. At times my shoulders do develop some strain, but I found it's from not relaxing the arm/shoulder when the hand is out of the water. As soon as I relaxed - the pain disappeared. I guess I concentrated onthe new arm position so much I neglected the rest phase.
Even though I'm still slow with only just over a year exp swimming, I am kinda lucky picking up this style so early
