Went to a practice yesterday for the first time. The coach discovered my hands are crossing over in front, which really explains alot of the problems I have with position.
Is this a simple thing to fix?
Are there any good drills for correcting this?
Is crossing hands the primary problem, or a symptom of another problem?
Another thing, I learned freestyle while avoiding a vulnerable position for my left shoulder. Reaching or stretching straight forward while dropping my shoulder down will pop it out of socket (it's not fun when this happens and it's never the same after). I think this might be a factor to my stroke problem since I naturally protect it, but is this vulnerable position required to become a good freestyler? I can reach forward and stretch, I just cant drop the shoulder untill my arm is at least 20˚ closer to body.
Thank you
Try holding on to your kick board with one arm and pulling with the other. Make sure your non working arm is resting on the kickboard.I'll try this today, thanks!
Another drill is more of an open water drill but swim with your head up. This also forces you to do a wider stroke.
Is this also called kayak stroke? If so I can do about 2 X 25M worth of these. But afterwards my lower back is exhausted and legs cramped. Funny thing is - for a 25, it's only 1-2 seconds slower doing the kayak stroke with head out of water and no goggles, than when I sprint.
We use a modified form of catch up drill. Thumbs extended so that the thumb and index finger form an L. Then you do catch up with just the very tips of the thumbs touching. It has to be done SLLLOOOOOWWWLLLLYYYY so that you develop a real awareness. Can also be done with a 12 in. ruler where you just grip the ends of the ruler on each catch.
You mean I will hand the ruler off to the other hand in front?
Thanks for the tip's coaches
Try holding on to your kick board with one arm and pulling with the other. Make sure your non working arm is resting on the kickboard.I'll try this today, thanks!
Another drill is more of an open water drill but swim with your head up. This also forces you to do a wider stroke.
Is this also called kayak stroke? If so I can do about 2 X 25M worth of these. But afterwards my lower back is exhausted and legs cramped. Funny thing is - for a 25, it's only 1-2 seconds slower doing the kayak stroke with head out of water and no goggles, than when I sprint.
We use a modified form of catch up drill. Thumbs extended so that the thumb and index finger form an L. Then you do catch up with just the very tips of the thumbs touching. It has to be done SLLLOOOOOWWWLLLLYYYY so that you develop a real awareness. Can also be done with a 12 in. ruler where you just grip the ends of the ruler on each catch.
You mean I will hand the ruler off to the other hand in front?
Thanks for the tip's coaches
