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.
I believe "streamline" is one of THE MOST important skills a swimmer - triathlete - open water swimmer - lap swim/noodler can master.
Glenn Mills @ GoSwim.tv just posted his streamline video too.
http://ht.ly/2ICB5
Thanks for the video. I just looked at this video, and his legs actually start falling (and never reach the surface), as opposed to the video I included where his legs rise. This seems like a pretty big difference, which is better?
One of the reasons I love short course is because it gives me (and the swimmers) more opportunities to set the core.
In long course I watch swimmers lose the strong core pretty quickly around the middle or 3/4 down the length.
I agree that streamlining is really important, but I don't quite understand what this means. When someone loses the core, does that mean that their technique becomes sloppy? Hips start wiggling? Less body rotation?
I believe "streamline" is one of THE MOST important skills a swimmer - triathlete - open water swimmer - lap swim/noodler can master.
If done well, it sets up your core and body position for the entire next lap. As well, it reminds you to engage your strong core on each wall.
If you push off loose, you just don't go as far.
If you push off with an engaged strong core every single wall, you just might eventually do it without thinking.
And you might just walk around on dry land more often engaging that same core you use in your streamline in the pool!
One of the reasons I love short course is because it gives me (and the swimmers) more opportunities to set the core.
In long course I watch swimmers lose the strong core pretty quickly around the middle or 3/4 down the length.
Glenn Mills @ GoSwim.tv just posted his streamline video too.
http://ht.ly/2ICB5
I don't think that's possible for me anymore.
Haha, same here. I saw a swimmer the other day whose stomach was hanging down a bit, and he didn't have very good posture. I felt bad for him. But then I realized...mine is doing exactly the same thing!
Anyways, thanks for bringing up the topic of streamlining and good turns, it really helped me with my form today. I had forgotten about its value, and it made my work out a little bit easier today.
When we were kids at our club we used to practice what we called the the Long Plunge.
I could do 75 yards and of course we knew nothing about engaging the core. But that is exactly how we did it.
The long plunge was dive in and streamline as far as you could however we did not use the term Streamline.
Was talking with a coach on deck this morning who intern coached with Ernie Maglischo years ago. He was asking me questions about how I coach freestyle.
He felt for the most part, "what is new is old", but in the end he did raise his eyebrows and said "well some things are really new..."
I agree that streamlining is really important, but I don't quite understand what this means. When someone loses the core, does that mean that their technique becomes sloppy? Hips start wiggling? Less body rotation?
You get the ugly picture...
Streamline very important -
Most races are won by having a great dive and a great turn.You can be a very fast swimmer but if you don't have a good dive and turn your chance to win is in jeopardy.
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
Thanks for the video. I just looked at this video, and his legs actually start falling (and never reach the surface), as opposed to the video I included where his legs rise. This seems like a pretty big difference, which is better?
This is a function of body fat not skill. Your skill streamlining can best be measured by how far you can come off the wall. It is a fun game to experiment with hand position, back arch, shoulder position, etc etc, and see how it affects your distance. Once you have found a new best position for yourself, the next goal is to get into that position coming out of a flip turn.
