Backstrokers unite.
We know every detail of the ceilings where we train unless it's the sky which is ever changing.
We SDK every day. It's breath taking.
We go forwards in reverse.
We get to flip over on turns. We gotta stay on our back.
We swim back. We kick back.
Aaron's the man
YouTube- Aaron Peirsol gets title and new record, from Universal Sports
YouTube- Aaron Peirsol Late Night Appearance/Interview (8.28.08)
What did you do in practice today?
the breastroke lane
The Middle Distance Lane
The Backstroke Lane
The Butterfly Lane
The SDK Lane
The Taper Lane
The Distance Lane
The IM Lane
The Sprint Free Lane
The Pool Deck
I play a lot of bumper pool with the lines outside too, so I usually look more down toward my feet as I'm swimming, tuck your chin toward your chest - little more uncomfortable over a 200, but my turns allow a litlle time to work the kinks out. It seems to keep me from crashing into the lines. Indoors I look more straight up and follow the ceiling.
I did more than hug the ropes yesterday. I think I tried to swim over into Blue Muppets lane a few times. I was really frustrated during the swim. In the 50 back, I went right down the pool. I don't know what I did different in the 2 swims either.
a big difference between the 50 and the 100/200 was the time of day. by the time the 200 and 100 rolled around, the sun was almost directly overhead, so it was wicked tough to see anything the one direction. not so much in the 50, since it was earlier in the meet. after doing the DCPR meet 8 times, i've noticed the same thing every year that it's been sunny.
Anyone have some good tips for swimming backstroker in outdoor pools to keep from running into the lane lines.
This weekend, I swam my first 200 back in an outdoor pool in forever. I had a wonderful time playing grab a$$ with the lane lines for the majority of the race. Needless to say, it wasn't a good swim, unless you were one of my friends getting a kick out of my troubles.
I tried using the lanes lines by sighting with peripharel vision. That didn't work too well.
Any tips would help for next time.
I play a lot of bumper pool with the lines outside too, so I usually look more down toward my feet as I'm swimming, tuck your chin toward your chest - little more uncomfortable over a 200, but my turns allow a litlle time to work the kinks out. It seems to keep me from crashing into the lines. Indoors I look more straight up and follow the ceiling.
That's what I do as well. I debated about tucking my chin but decided against it because I wasn't sure if my kick was strong enough to get my hips up for the distance
I like using the Tyr Socket Rocket Eclipse goggles for backstroke. They are super dark, great for the outdoor sun and they have great a peripheral range.
I would not bring your head forward... this is going to drop your hips and slow you down. In a 200, low hips are going to make you tired really quickly. Keep that water rolling over your face ;-) You can always hug the rope if you want to it keep in view...
You can also practice steadying your stroke by swimming with and small dixie cup of water balanced on your forehead. This also helps keep your head straight and back.
You can always hug the rope if you want to it keep in view...
I did more than hug the ropes yesterday. I think I tried to swim over into Blue Muppets lane a few times. I was really frustrated during the swim. In the 50 back, I went right down the pool. I don't know what I did different in the 2 swims either.
Seems like when I try to use peripheral vision, I either slow my stroke rate down or I end up heading in the direction that I am trying to glance. That gets very annoying.
Thank you for the good tips. I have blown some pretty good outdoor backstroke races and I know some very good backstrokers who have too! So frustrating. The tips should help.:)
Thanks, Paul! I'm on my way to the pool (along with my husband and camera...), so I'll give it a try. :)
I see that I forgot that the idea is to have the big toe of each foot lightly touch, not all of them, sorry.
I see that I forgot that the idea is to have the big toe of each foot lightly touch, not all of them, sorry.
:lmao: Uh, Paul, I figured that one out on my own! :D I still need to check my video from this morning and see how I did with that... Thanks!
