Freestyle body rotation/getting power from the hips
Former Member
First of all, I don't know if these concepts are directly related. But I finally got some coaching tips and realize that I am plowing through the water like I am swimming like I am stroking with my belly on a surfboard. I have learned to get the high elbow recovery and now I feel the rotation of my body, or at least the potential for it to rotate.
So my question is, do I force my body to rotate more, or is this a natural consequence of doing other things correctly? I can especially feel it on my left/non-breathing side where I can force myself to over rotate beyond which I am doing.
The power from the hips part, I was told I need to do that, but I have no idea how to execute it.
Former Member
I think Popov is a terrible example for mortals to follow. First of all he is 6'6" and 200lbs, secondly he had extreem shoulder flexibility, and most importanly he had the time to practice 10,000 yds for a workout.
I worked with Alex and his coach Gennadi Touretski for many years and I can assure you there was nothing 'extreem' about his shoulder flexibility. In fact, his shoulders were quite normal. Many other swimmers, especially masters, have extreme stiffness in their shoulders.
But this is easily corrected.
www.somaxsports.com/.../levinson3.jpg
