I am assuming S is still the dominant pull pattern, but if you are using I, are you using it 100% of the time and for all distances?
I am not collecting this information for any purpose, just curious how the I pattern adoption is going along and what people think of it.
S Pattern: Entering close to the median line of the body, then sculling out before beginning the catch. At the catch the hand begins an inward sweep before turning outward somewhere mid torso with the hand underneath the body. The stroke finishes and exits the water on the final outward sweep. See picture.
I Pattern: The hand enters wide of the mid line of the body with no scull before the catch. From the catch to the finish is approximately a straight line.
The difference between S and I is S has phases in different directions while I tries to maintain a single direction the entire time.
lh5.ggpht.com/.../SANY0001.JPG
Parents
Former Member
You can (and should) roll your hips to engage the same stronger muscle groups while using an I pull.
I was taught the S pull in the 70s and recently reformed myself based on a stroke analysis performed by Genadijus Sokolovas in May of 2009. The underwater video he took was invaluable, since I could view and compare to accomplished swimmers. I believe (although I have not had another video taken) I have reduced the S to a 'drunken I,' and increased hip roll as well. The combination certainly feels more efficient, similar to XC skiing.
I have heard that a significant stroke change like this will slow you down initially, until your musculature re-coordinates. This may be true, but my practice times (more endurance oriented) have improved. Hopefully everything will hash out by May, but I will not go back to my old S pull.
Well, what I'm doing is probably more akin to your "drunken I" than an exaggerated S. But it's definitely got the curve to it.
I think the timing of your roll will probably have a significant effect on just how "wiggly" your pull pattern is.
Do you have a gradual transition across the length of your stroke, or do you tend to skate-and-flip, skate-and-flip?
You can (and should) roll your hips to engage the same stronger muscle groups while using an I pull.
I was taught the S pull in the 70s and recently reformed myself based on a stroke analysis performed by Genadijus Sokolovas in May of 2009. The underwater video he took was invaluable, since I could view and compare to accomplished swimmers. I believe (although I have not had another video taken) I have reduced the S to a 'drunken I,' and increased hip roll as well. The combination certainly feels more efficient, similar to XC skiing.
I have heard that a significant stroke change like this will slow you down initially, until your musculature re-coordinates. This may be true, but my practice times (more endurance oriented) have improved. Hopefully everything will hash out by May, but I will not go back to my old S pull.
Well, what I'm doing is probably more akin to your "drunken I" than an exaggerated S. But it's definitely got the curve to it.
I think the timing of your roll will probably have a significant effect on just how "wiggly" your pull pattern is.
Do you have a gradual transition across the length of your stroke, or do you tend to skate-and-flip, skate-and-flip?
