The Backstroke Lane

The scientist in me pooh-poohs anything so subjective as "feel," do get it timed. But I can guarantee that you are faster underwater -- in any race, not just backstroke -- at one point: just after the start/push-off. You should work on your streamline. It doesn't look very tight and your head is sticking out well below your arms, which slows you down. Your head should be between your arms (shoulders on your ears) and you should squeeze those arms very tightly to present as narrow a profile as possible. Try to stretch and become "taller" in your streamline. Think about those little underwater "torpedo" toys that kids use, the ones that you fling underwater and they just keep going and going -- try to go for that shape. One person I swim with has excellent underwaters and she isn't even a very good kicker. Her secret is that she has an amazing streamline position (and it doesn't hurt that she is quite tall and skinny). One way to work on streamline: put on some fins and do some sprints (with plenty of recovery time) while trying different positions, especially for your head. Since you go so much faster with fins on you might well be able to feel hydrodynamic inefficiencies directly (eg water hitting your cap), but of course you should also look at the clock. The hope is that the fins magnify streamline inefficiencies. It isn't just for backstroke, do it on your front too. The "muscle memory" for streamlining is a little different front vs back, I think. Hey, Chris; this is great stuff! I didn't think I would hear from you or Fort and appreciate that you both posted advice. :agree: Honestly, I hadn't even thought of my head position, as I was so focused on what my legs and arms were doing! So, I will definitely get that fixed and use more video for feedback. And, yes, I will have Bruce time me. The fins idea is great too, so I will work on my streamline with fins, as well. Thanks! :D

The scientist in me pooh-poohs anything so subjective as "feel," do get it timed. But I can guarantee that you are faster underwater -- in any race, not just backstroke -- at one point: just after the start/push-off. You should work on your streamline. It doesn't look very tight and your head is sticking out well below your arms, which slows you down. Your head should be between your arms (shoulders on your ears) and you should squeeze those arms very tightly to present as narrow a profile as possible. Try to stretch and become "taller" in your streamline. Think about those little underwater "torpedo" toys that kids use, the ones that you fling underwater and they just keep going and going -- try to go for that shape. One person I swim with has excellent underwaters and she isn't even a very good kicker. Her secret is that she has an amazing streamline position (and it doesn't hurt that she is quite tall and skinny). One way to work on streamline: put on some fins and do some sprints (with plenty of recovery time) while trying different positions, especially for your head. Since you go so much faster with fins on you might well be able to feel hydrodynamic inefficiencies directly (eg water hitting your cap), but of course you should also look at the clock. The hope is that the fins magnify streamline inefficiencies. It isn't just for backstroke, do it on your front too. The "muscle memory" for streamlining is a little different front vs back, I think. Hey, Chris; this is great stuff! I didn't think I would hear from you or Fort and appreciate that you both posted advice. :agree: Honestly, I hadn't even thought of my head position, as I was so focused on what my legs and arms were doing! So, I will definitely get that fixed and use more video for feedback. And, yes, I will have Bruce time me. The fins idea is great too, so I will work on my streamline with fins, as well. Thanks! :D