Awhile back I had tried to record myself swimming freestlye and ask around the net for commentary, but it was with a low-quality camera and only above-water footage. Not getting too much feedback at that time, I decided to buy a underwater HD camera and try to use that as a reference and improve my freestyle technique. Over about 40 days I have recorded ~16 sessions, and tried to gradually improve things. Here is what I have improved:
- No longer crossing over arms in middle (at least most of the time)
- Entry occurs when arms are more stretched forward, before my elbow was bent ~90 degrees for some entries
- Left pull is a bit more consistent, but still not a clean S curve like right arm (yes I'm right-handed)
- kick is a bit tighter and more controlled (though this probably still needs to be made even smaller, with less knee kick)
- neck angle when breathing is less extreme, before I was turning upwards much more than necessary
I still look straight down at the bottom when swimming much of the time, partially because if I look forward with a 45-degree angle I can't really see much anyway because my goggles get in the way, although I know doing this will make my breathing more natural, and possibly improve my posture overall.
I have been doing alot of catch-up with a pull bouy and that seems to have helped me control my upper body more. Also been doing alot of stretches to enable my foot to stretch to a greater degree, and doing a few laps with zoomers to help improve my overall kick form.
Anyway, the result of my recent training can be seen in the following video, where I edited together a few sessions together, and you can see my technique from a few different angles, both above and underwater.
YouTube- Jeff's Freestyle Technique 7/5/2010
I was concerned about doing too much endurance training with 'bad' form,but I think I am nearly ready to start doing less form work and a little more endurance training. However before that I really would like to get some critique from some masters swimming forum members.
If I were to point out my #1 problem at present, it is a lack of 'balance' in the water, though I am not sure exactly what that means or how to work on it. When I see videos of pro swimmers like Michael Phelps I am amazed by how their arms seem 'anchored' in front, whereas I have to struggle to even keep them straight. It takes a conscious effort to not cross over the middle, and even then I can't seem to keep my arms 'anchored' in front.
I do most of my training in a housing-development pool with no swimming friends, so any commentary would be very helpful.
Thanks very much!
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Former Member
I have recorded ~16 sessions, and tried to gradually improve things. Here is what I have improved (list of things....) Who taught you these things? This is some sound advices anyway!
Based on your description, you're experimenting a nice progression in your technique. Congratulations!
How's your shoulders, generally speaking? And more specifically the right one?
I have been doing alot of catch-up with a pull Ok that explains a few things. Now it's not bad, let's call it a necessary evil.
Also been doing alot of stretches to enable my foot to stretch to a greater degree Smart thing. Increase your flexibility and your Relaxation too! Because relaxation is that can help you using your full range of flexibility.
Given the venue at which you usually train, there's one kick set that I like to improve this. You visit both extremes. Tap on top of the water furiously during the times you go hard, then go as slow as possible with your ankles relaxed and flexible, then retain this relaxed state and go hard again. 10sec each.
I was concerned about doing too much endurance training with 'bad' form,but I think I am nearly ready to start doing less form work and a little more endurance training. However before that I really would like to get some critique from some masters swimming forum members. I wouldn't start just yet.
The thing that strikes me the most, is the limited body rotation. You still swim little too flat (like Linsday already said).
Then, then there's this strange squeezed arm position/recovery. You seem to contain your reach within a limited range of motion. Your worst side on that aspect, well on both aspects as a matter of fact is your right hand one.
The image attached shows this. I really really dislike. It's like your arm struggling to force your body to rotate. Arm led body rotation I could call this?
And it seems to set your stroke including the pulling path. Not sure if it's by lack of flexibility or too much tension while swimming which prevents you from exploiting your flexibility? Not sure.
Anyway, that creates a lot of other problems, including your cross over the mid line thing. Because your arm thus squeezed then enters the water in this position (arm bent and squeezed). Lack of body rotation brings the "gotta-turn-the-neck" thing etc... It's a classical case of poor recovery that badly prepare hand entry. It screws it up.
If I were to point out my #1 problem at present, it is a lack of 'balance' in the water, though I am not sure exactly what that means or how to work on it.
Band around the ankles is probably the most difficult of all. Forces you to learn it real quickly! You put something to hold your ankles together, you therefore don't really kick, and you try to stay on top of the water purely by maintaining a perfect balance. But you're not there yet I think. You have to improve body rotation / arm recovery / relaxation first in my humble opinion.
Here's a nice execution of the drill. Could take months before getting it that good though.
YouTube- Bands Only Swimming - 100m in 1'23"
I have recorded ~16 sessions, and tried to gradually improve things. Here is what I have improved (list of things....) Who taught you these things? This is some sound advices anyway!
Based on your description, you're experimenting a nice progression in your technique. Congratulations!
How's your shoulders, generally speaking? And more specifically the right one?
I have been doing alot of catch-up with a pull Ok that explains a few things. Now it's not bad, let's call it a necessary evil.
Also been doing alot of stretches to enable my foot to stretch to a greater degree Smart thing. Increase your flexibility and your Relaxation too! Because relaxation is that can help you using your full range of flexibility.
Given the venue at which you usually train, there's one kick set that I like to improve this. You visit both extremes. Tap on top of the water furiously during the times you go hard, then go as slow as possible with your ankles relaxed and flexible, then retain this relaxed state and go hard again. 10sec each.
I was concerned about doing too much endurance training with 'bad' form,but I think I am nearly ready to start doing less form work and a little more endurance training. However before that I really would like to get some critique from some masters swimming forum members. I wouldn't start just yet.
The thing that strikes me the most, is the limited body rotation. You still swim little too flat (like Linsday already said).
Then, then there's this strange squeezed arm position/recovery. You seem to contain your reach within a limited range of motion. Your worst side on that aspect, well on both aspects as a matter of fact is your right hand one.
The image attached shows this. I really really dislike. It's like your arm struggling to force your body to rotate. Arm led body rotation I could call this?
And it seems to set your stroke including the pulling path. Not sure if it's by lack of flexibility or too much tension while swimming which prevents you from exploiting your flexibility? Not sure.
Anyway, that creates a lot of other problems, including your cross over the mid line thing. Because your arm thus squeezed then enters the water in this position (arm bent and squeezed). Lack of body rotation brings the "gotta-turn-the-neck" thing etc... It's a classical case of poor recovery that badly prepare hand entry. It screws it up.
If I were to point out my #1 problem at present, it is a lack of 'balance' in the water, though I am not sure exactly what that means or how to work on it.
Band around the ankles is probably the most difficult of all. Forces you to learn it real quickly! You put something to hold your ankles together, you therefore don't really kick, and you try to stay on top of the water purely by maintaining a perfect balance. But you're not there yet I think. You have to improve body rotation / arm recovery / relaxation first in my humble opinion.
Here's a nice execution of the drill. Could take months before getting it that good though.
YouTube- Bands Only Swimming - 100m in 1'23"
