I always thought my streamline wasn't horrible, but then I saw the movie on this page:
www.page.sannet.ne.jp/.../fusiuki_index.html
In it, the swimmer is able to float ~15 M in streamline, and his legs don't sink at all.
When I try this, I can only get about half of the distance he does, and my legs start to sink almost immediately. If I try to keep my legs completely straight I can maintain them at about a ~30-45 degree angle to the water, but no matter what I try I cannot get close to his performance.
Clearly taking a big breath and holding it is important, as well as extending arms out as far forward as possible and pointing toes, but does anyone know anything else to suggest? In some of the links he discusses that anyone can do this, but is a little vague about the details. He mentions that you need to keep your body straight (of course), and also that that the way you rest your lungs on the water is important.
The pages are in Japanese, but some of the pages have diagrams that explain what is he talking about pretty clearly. The page has the best diagrams (the left side of the diagrams is the 'old style', the right side is the 'new (correct) style'.
www.page.sannet.ne.jp/.../fusiuki_5.html
He also mentions that it isn't about forcing any body part, its about 'releasing force' and floating naturally.
If there are any native Japanese-speaking swimmers and can quickly read through this and let me know a brief summary of his suggestions I would appreciate it. My Japanese isn't bad but there is alot of explanation and some of it a little difficult to understand.
Can anyone do the streamline as far as he does? Do you think it is really possible for any body type? It seems to me that the length of your various body parts, plus distribution of fat would imply that not everyone could do it as well as he does.
ON Streamlining
Push off HARD, at a slightly downward angle to get under the surface currents & turbulence, deeper if you're going to SDK
Streamline skinny, align your body
hand over hand, flat & locked in position
arms locked & straight
biceps on ears or center of head
keep your HEAD NEUTRAL, not too far UP = AQUA BRAKE, not too far down.
stomach flat, back flat, curl hips up to flatten your back
legs together, which means thighs, knees, calves, & ankles
toes pointed
BE A SPEAR not a noodle, firm but relaxed
RIDE the GLIDE (meaning there's a moment after you push off where the best thing to do is hold your streamline, don't start swimming too soon, but don't hold your streamline too long)
as you decellerate, begin your SDK or flutter kick or underwater breastroke pull down
Don't go too shallow
don't be too deep when it's time to break out
if your legs are dropping you might be holding your streamline too long & should start kicking or swimming sooner
this thread has some excellent streamlining VIDEOS with SDK
Ande
ON Streamlining
Push off HARD, at a slightly downward angle to get under the surface currents & turbulence, deeper if you're going to SDK
Streamline skinny, align your body
hand over hand, flat & locked in position
arms locked & straight
biceps on ears or center of head
keep your HEAD NEUTRAL, not too far UP = AQUA BRAKE, not too far down.
stomach flat, back flat, curl hips up to flatten your back
legs together, which means thighs, knees, calves, & ankles
toes pointed
BE A SPEAR not a noodle, firm but relaxed
RIDE the GLIDE (meaning there's a moment after you push off where the best thing to do is hold your streamline, don't start swimming too soon, but don't hold your streamline too long)
as you decellerate, begin your SDK or flutter kick or underwater breastroke pull down
Don't go too shallow
don't be too deep when it's time to break out
if your legs are dropping you might be holding your streamline too long & should start kicking or swimming sooner
this thread has some excellent streamlining VIDEOS with SDK
Ande
