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!
Here's my current technique. I'd like to compare it with yours, if you can provide some footage (instead of graphs).
Pace 400m
YouTube- 100m Free fast but controled
Slow relaxed pace
YouTube- Free style early warm up pace
Lots of talk about EVF, lots of theory, lots of shoulds woulds, this and that, but yet still waiting to see one single execution from anyone that have been participating to these discussions. I got wet. Will you?
Here is my current technique, though I haven't done any video of a relaxed pace. (lane 6, yellow cap, hurting the last length)
YouTube- 100_free_harvard_2010.wmv
My stroke count does go up when I sprint or when I get tired, it is usually around eight to ten and here it is ten to twelve. I've been trying the stroke frequency/velocity idea, but I haven't graphed it. That is a nice idea, to see where you are loosing efficiency.
Here's my current technique. I'd like to compare it with yours, if you can provide some footage (instead of graphs).
Pace 400m
YouTube- 100m Free fast but controled
Slow relaxed pace
YouTube- Free style early warm up pace
Lots of talk about EVF, lots of theory, lots of shoulds woulds, this and that, but yet still waiting to see one single execution from anyone that have been participating to these discussions. I got wet. Will you?
Here is my current technique, though I haven't done any video of a relaxed pace. (lane 6, yellow cap, hurting the last length)
YouTube- 100_free_harvard_2010.wmv
My stroke count does go up when I sprint or when I get tired, it is usually around eight to ten and here it is ten to twelve. I've been trying the stroke frequency/velocity idea, but I haven't graphed it. That is a nice idea, to see where you are loosing efficiency.