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!
Former Member
When either hand enters the water, it pauses then rises up. This motion looks to me as if you are pushing your palm forward which means you are pushing yourself backwards.
I also noticed that you have your thumb pressed against your index finger. This again to me causes tention in the forearm which directly causes shoulder problems. I also see the hand pressing water out to the side instead of letting it drop to the catch position. This to me also causes shoulder pain. When your left hand exits the water you are flicking it out of the water. I like clean exits.
More later.
Lindsay, you scooped me :)
You really put your fingers on the exact cause of this poor recovery. I was trying it while being in my bed this morning, and managed to recreate the issue.
If the first thing I try to do in recovering the arm is to try to get the hand to lead the show (hand first), I end up with the exact same hand/arm position and discomfort as the OP's.
I will illustrate all that with a short clip to be posted later today. It will explain how this can be solved using dryland exercises, unless you want to scoop me there as well (kiddin' of course) :D
So bottom line, this right shoulder that seems to be clicking, or snapping on every recovery seems to be cause by a combination of poor body rotation combined with the hand that wants to lead the recovery, instead of just being carried over by the elbow, just like the Cranes carry over their loads from point A to point B.
As for George's approach to commenting technique, well it wasn't disrespectful at all. Just totally counter productive. The ability to see everything is one thing, the ability to see everything in a clean ordered way to set priorities is far better. I'm sure that with more time, knowing how good George can be, he should be able to order his comments putting some emphasis on the most urgent matters. Because a swimmer just can't work on too many things in the same time.
I have attached a few more frames from your video.
The first shows your right arm stroking too far out to the side.
The second one shows your left arm stroking too deep, with not enough bend at the elbow.
The third one shows your left arm with a dropped elbow, the forearm should be pretty much vertical at this point in your stroke.
The fourth one shows your right arm with a dropped elbow, again the forearm should be vertical.
There is a good deal of variability in your pull pattern, perhaps depending on your breathing.
Two more pictures illustrating breathing issues:
In the first frame it looks to me like you are lifting your head to breath and using your forward arm to push down on the water to support your lifted head. With proper rotation you should be able to breath purely from the rotation without having to waste energy pushing down on the water.
In the second frame you can see that your entire face and most of your head are up above the water. Try to breath with one goggle still in the water. You should find that the bow wave created by your head creates a depression in the water that is conveniently located to allow you to breath easily even with one eye still underwater.
The second frame also illustrates the recovery issue discussed earlier from a different angle. Note that your elbow is behind your back at this point which is likely to eventually lead to shoulder problems.
As I said in my first reply, it may seem like you have enough rotation compared to elite swimmers but think of it this way, by exaggerating the roll you will be better able to feel how the other parts of your stroke integrate in with the roll to produce a smooth fluid overall timing, right now I don't get the impression of smooth fluidity that you see in most elite swimmers. I suspect that learning to take a relaxed breath using the rotation is the first thing you need to work on. Good luck!
YouTube- Faster Freestyle Swimming By Decreasing DragFrom 5:32-5:38 I laughed my ass off. Watch it This is an amazing clip Steve.
I like coaches that don't hesitate to turn themselves into clowns.
Most information provided in this clip is useful for the mission given to Jeff.
Great clip, thanks!
Grant Hackett's stroke is so text book regarding the extended arm and reach.
Hackett's stroke is incredible, but I'm not sure if it's something you'd want to show to a beginner and say "do it like he does." This is just not a technique that many people can realistically achieve.
you're welcome. :) No kidding. Is it you on this clip? Are you the Patch Adam of all swim coaches?
Do you keep your funny hat on while working on the deck? Can it generate some air cooling and stuff?
Hmmmmm, I'm seeing an aweful lot of locked arms in these video clips of great swimmers lately. Maybe some people don't have the flexibility, so they are rationalizing.
