Current Swimmer indicates the proper head position is 'low' in the water, more or less the oncoming water seeing the top of your head.
On the other hand, many tell me to have the water line break the forehead, thus a higher head position than shown as 'right' in Swimmer (page 25).
Advice to look to the bottom of the pool rather than forward plays into this matter.
Any consensus here?
Current Swimmer indicates the proper head position is 'low' in the water, more or less the oncoming water seeing the top of your head.
On the other hand, many tell me to have the water line break the forehead, thus a higher head position than shown as 'right' in Swimmer (page 25).
Advice to look to the bottom of the pool rather than forward plays into this matter.
Any consensus here?
In the late 70's/80's the thought was to use the forehead like a rudder and have the water line right at the hair line which led to looking forward at about a 45 degree angle. This is still pretty close to how sprint freestyle is still performed. But for longer distances, stroke mechanics have evolved to create a neutral head position with the tip of the nose pointed towards the bottom of the pool to promote a cleaner, longer and straighter over all body line in the water.
I wouldn't say "low", I would say "neutral" is the way to go. When I have my kids do planks (forward or side) in dryland I always stress alignment of head, shoulders, back and hips. So I guess you could also call it "aligned".
A lift of the head directly correlates to either extra strain in the neck and upper shoulders or a drop in the hips. Neither is good in freestyle or backstroke. They don't call them long-axis strokes for nothing! =)
I wouldn't say "low", I would say "neutral" is the way to go. When I have my kids do planks (forward or side) in dryland I always stress alignment of head, shoulders, back and hips. So I guess you could also call it "aligned".
A lift of the head directly correlates to either extra strain in the neck and upper shoulders or a drop in the hips. Neither is good in freestyle or backstroke. They don't call them long-axis strokes for nothing! =)
Agree completely. Now if I could just consistently get rid of many years of bad head placement! I can definitely tell a difference. Some old habits do die hard.
for pool swimming:
your head should be neutral
some swimmers hold their heads up too high which can cause their hips & legs to sink too low
for open water swimming:
keep your head neutral & pop it up now and then for
buoy sighting, swimming straight, & or drafting
Current Swimmer indicates the proper head position is 'low' in the water, more or less the oncoming water seeing the top of your head.
On the other hand, many tell me to have the water line break the forehead, thus a higher head position than shown as 'right' in Swimmer (page 25).
Advice to look to the bottom of the pool rather than forward plays into this matter.
Any consensus here?
A lift of the head directly correlates to either extra strain in the neck and upper shoulders or a drop in the hips. Neither is good in freestyle
Just to help reach that consensus, I'll agree with the others. Unfortunately, at one stage in my life I was taught to keep a high eye line position, which directly attributed to a drop in my hips. This wasn't corrected until I was 16 or 17 years old and a visiting coach noticed it and suggested the change. I'm pretty sure that the neutral position is widely recognized as proper technique.
Unfortunately, at one stage in my life I was taught to keep a high eye line position, which directly attributed to a drop in my hips. This wasn't corrected until I was 16 or 17 years old and a visiting coach noticed it and suggested the change. I'm pretty sure that the neutral position is widely recognized as proper technique.Unfortunately for me, I didn't learn the "new style" until a couple of years ago (post-40th b'day) when I finally had myself video'd. I grew up in the 70's/80's time period Paul mentioned and we always were taught to have the water hit the tops of our goggles. It's a brutal habit to break. For those of us with that old school habit, I think you have to consciously think about looking at the bottom of the pool in order to achieve neutral head position.
For those of us with that old school habit, I think you have to consciously think about looking at the bottom of the pool in order to achieve neutral head position.
For me, I also have to think about looking straight to the side when I breathe, rather than lifting my head as I turn it. One eye stays under water and I can look at my teammates' underwater technique. The other eye sees surface turbulence or the lane line.
It's also really important to keep that neutral head position as you approach and leave the wall. When I share a lane, which is usually, to avoid collisions I do have to pay close attention to counting the lane-mates in my peripheral vision as they pass going the other way.
I definitely feel more efficient when I have my head in a neutral position. My problem is that I find it hard to train that way. I am always looking to make sure I'm not touching the feet in the person in front of me, and I think I look for the wall, too (I guess I should be going by the 'T' instead, but I don't like to blow my turns -- too far away being irritating and too close being painful).
When you turn to breathe, should the mouth be completely out of water, or partially? I find myself half mouth out and half underwater, so I could drink the water if I wanted, but I never did.
But for longer distances, stroke mechanics have evolved to create a neutral head position with the tip of the nose pointed towards the bottom of the pool to promote a cleaner, longer and straighter over all body line in the water.
Nose shapes vary. Some people's tip of the nose already points downward when they are standing. :D
Your head weighs about ten pounds(approx.) and it's position has a great influence on your balance of your body in the water. The crown of your head needs to be in line with your spine, and your nose needs to be pointed straight toward the bottom of the pool when not breathing. Lifting or tilting your head off this line puts a large downward force on your hips, causing them to sink.
:drowning:
