Plowing through the water

RE: Plowing through the water

Former Member — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:56:26 GMT

I believe he mentioned his issue was the opposite - head riding too deep, and already knows the basics (hip's up, streamlined, etc). I am curious if the problem was fixed, what was the solution (head position), distance pace the problem occured, and if it happens sprinting too. Today I was able to get the plow-free feeling, but this required use of my new front-mount snorkle :agree:, therefore making me think my drag's related to a breathing position. I also tried the underwater free drill for a contrasting (total submersion) high drag sensation. I have a fast, shallow kick. I keep my head neutral, but it feels like I am swimming uphill so my @ss is probably too low.

RE: Plowing through the water

Former Member — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:10:41 GMT

Wookie- I don't have your experience, skill or speed. Nevertheless, I am plowing much less by getting my face aimed straight down at the bottom, my arms pointing straight at the far wall, the back of my head touching my biceps when breathing, and my butt at the surface throughout the body rotation. It is the classic posture that Coach DallasBob W advocates, and it has taken 4 years to get flexible enough to do it, but I now feel Teflon-coated.:applaud: RadSwim in Houston Clark, While I agree with the butt at the surface, I don't agree with the arm pointed STRAIGHT at the far wall. I believe the extended arm should be angled slightly down, so that it get just a little bit below the shoulder joint. I find this allows me to get into a better catch and pull without having any strain on the shoulder. When I try to point straight out to the wall like Bob suggests, my extended arm scoops up, then it gets strained by having to do more work to get back to a good catch position. I think most swimmers are in the boat of needing the arm angled slightly(not much) below the shoulder joint, so the arm points a little bit down on the wall that the swimmer is traveling towards. I have found that I like my head position to be looking a tad bit forward. When I look straight down, I have a tendency to overrotate and zig zag. With it pointed slightly forward, I have found that I have much better control. Swimming is definitly isn't a one size fits all model, which is why it is good to get different opinions to discover what works for each individual.

RE: Plowing through the water

Former Member — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 10:30:50 GMT

When I try to point straight out to the wall like Bob suggests, my extended arm scoops up, then it gets strained by having to do more work to get back to a good catch position. I had a similar problem. I spent about 3 months training my fingers and hand to stay pointed down. (But my upper arm was still lower than ideal). After fingers-down became second nature, I started raising my upper arm to horizontal -- that is when the teflon-coating appeared.

RE: Plowing through the water

Former Member — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:23:59 GMT

RE: Plowing through the water

Former Member — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 10:36:20 GMT

I have been wondering if my head position might have something to do with it. I was reading an article by glenn mills that I think might help me. He talked about finding the "right head position" for each individual. I have tried swimming with a neutral head but I don't seem to get any levearge on my stroke. Last night, I raised my head position about about 30 degrees or so. That allowed me to get a better catch and I stopped fishtaling. So, I think part of my problem has been swimming with my head toooooo deep. I think you're correct in that your head position needs to be adjusted so that your spine will have your hips in a higher position in the water. I've found that when I keep a visual "spot" about 6-8 ft on the bottom of the pool (10 ft deep), then the waterline is just above my browline, and this works for me. I don't feel like I'm plowing thru the water (except if I'm exhausted and drop my head), and I have the right positioning to anticipate my upcoming walls for breaths and strokes before flipturns. The other thing you might want to 'self-check' is your hip position itself. Are your hips rolled back or tucked-under. If your abs are tightened, then it's more likely that your hips will be tucked-under, and that will help them ride higher in the water because your spine won't be arched as much...it will be straighter and more inline with the plane of the water. You might try, as an experiment, tightening your abs (esp lower) to feel the difference when you're doing freestyle. If this is part of the problem, you'll know it, because you'll feel the difference immediately. Best of luck to you! Happy waters....

RE: Plowing through the water

Former Member — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 10:06:24 GMT

Anyone ever feel like they are plowing through the water on freestyle, instead of swimming on top of it? I know that we can't actually swim fast enough to "swim on top" of the water, but I feel like I am swimming underwater most of the time. It's a frustrating feeling. How fast is your kick? How narrow is it? If your hips are riding too low, that could certainly give you that "plowing water" feeling. And if your kick is too wide (esp. when you breathe) it's like putting the oars out to the side of a boat -- you'll lose momentum and be constantly struggling against it, like driving a car with the hand brake on.

RE: Plowing through the water

__steve__ — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 05:35:12 GMT

How fast is your kick? How narrow is it? If your hips are riding too low, I believe he mentioned his issue was the opposite - head riding too deep, and already knows the basics (hip's up, streamlined, etc). I am curious if the problem was fixed, what was the solution (head position), distance pace the problem occured, and if it happens sprinting too. Today I was able to get the plow-free feeling, but this required use of my new front-mount snorkle :agree:, therefore making me think my drag's related to a breathing position. I also tried the underwater free drill for a contrasting (total submersion) high drag sensation.

RE: Plowing through the water

mattson — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 04:47:49 GMT

I "plow" most of the time. It usually looks like I'm losing a wrestling match with a mattress. Now I'm wondering what it would look like if you were winning a wrestling match with a mattress. :)

RE: Plowing through the water

__steve__ — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 11:49:12 GMT

Ever since I read this thread I feel like I'm plowing all the time:bitching: I can remedy this some by tucking my chin and lifting my a ss up, but now my breathing and turns are messed up.

RE: Plowing through the water

orca1946 — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 01:32:36 GMT

The last 1/2 of practice feels as if I'm a tug boat not a speed boat !

RE: Plowing through the water

Former Member — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 12:56:04 GMT

Overtraining also contributes to that "swimming through jello" feeling.

RE: Plowing through the water

Former Member — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 09:26:38 GMT

RE: Plowing through the water

Former Member — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 09:20:53 GMT

Anyone ever feel like they are plowing through the water on freestyle, instead of swimming on top of it? I know that we can't actually swim fast enough to "swim on top" of the water, but I feel like I am swimming underwater most of the time. It's a frustrating feeling. Wookie, i also plow water sometimes. it is not due to swimming high or low in the water. it is due to my hips dropping. it mostly happens when i get tired. head position and kick output seem to be the biggest factors.

RE: Plowing through the water

Former Member — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:39:07 GMT

I "plow" most of the time. It usually looks like I'm losing a wrestling match with a mattress. I have had times where I feel like I am higher in the water and moving with much less effort. I just can't hold it. I flip at the wall and can't get it back until I'm almost at the other wall. It is very frustrating!!:censor:

RE: Plowing through the water

Former Member — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 15:09:21 GMT

to me, "glide" is more of a sensation. its easier to grasp the concept through x-c skiing. its easy to see the difference between those who shuffle their skis along and those that glide..... got any snow down there O...I...see. Snow? what's that?

RE: Plowing through the water

Former Member — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 15:06:00 GMT

RE: Plowing through the water

Former Member — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:42:50 GMT

well, i think you need to seek the middle "ground" (heh heh)....... glide rather than plow (and forget about that on top of the water idea) I know we can't swim on top of the water(unless I attach an outboard motor to my feet) But I am tired of feeling like I am plowing through the water. I am not crazy about the term glide. To me, it implies that nothing is happening in the stroke. If nothing is happening, then the stroke is stop..go..stop..go. That doesn't lead to a propulsive stroke. In fact, to me, that term makes freestyle seem like more work than anything.

RE: Plowing through the water

Former Member — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:21:32 GMT

well, i think you need to seek the middle "ground" (heh heh)....... glide rather than plow (and forget about that on top of the water idea)

RE: Plowing through the water

__steve__ — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 10:24:46 GMT

Even though I'm certain I "plow" more than you because I'm not as fast or skilled yet, I do get this sensation less in cooler water.