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!
Hi Jeff,
You may want to consider changing your initial catch -- it looks to me as though you start your pull with your elbow down and are missing that initial propulsion in the front half of the stroke.
I'd suggest this: when initially placing your arm in front, keep it straight and then point your elbow towards the front of the pool. This is very awkward, but bear with me. Think about "anchoring" your forearm into the pool, keeping your elbow high and the forearm at 90 degrees to the top of the water. Then pull your body by your arm, throwing your hip slightly away from your hand. If you are pulling with the right hand, the right hip should rotate up.
I don't know off hand (no pun intended) if the back half of the stroke is important -- there has been some debate recently that I am still digesting, but I do think it is important to try to get some thrust out of the back half of the arm pull. You don't want to "dead end" the hand at the thigh, though, it should be sweeping past the thigh instead.
I think your body position looks pretty good, but you might not be getting a lot out of your kick. How fast do you typically go for a 100 yard flutter kick with a board?
Hi Jeff,
You may want to consider changing your initial catch -- it looks to me as though you start your pull with your elbow down and are missing that initial propulsion in the front half of the stroke.
I'd suggest this: when initially placing your arm in front, keep it straight and then point your elbow towards the front of the pool. This is very awkward, but bear with me. Think about "anchoring" your forearm into the pool, keeping your elbow high and the forearm at 90 degrees to the top of the water. Then pull your body by your arm, throwing your hip slightly away from your hand. If you are pulling with the right hand, the right hip should rotate up.
I don't know off hand (no pun intended) if the back half of the stroke is important -- there has been some debate recently that I am still digesting, but I do think it is important to try to get some thrust out of the back half of the arm pull. You don't want to "dead end" the hand at the thigh, though, it should be sweeping past the thigh instead.
I think your body position looks pretty good, but you might not be getting a lot out of your kick. How fast do you typically go for a 100 yard flutter kick with a board?
