I've been working on my head position, trying to keep my head down. But I can't seem to stop jerking it up for breaths. So I was told to keep my ear against my shoulder to allow for a simple head rotation. It is here that I have noticed what I think is a fundamental problem in that my left arm (I'm breathing to the right) is already too far down to make this position possible.
The way it seems that I can counter this is by employing a more "catch-up" style where my left arm has to stay forward/paused until my right arm is almost forward and my head is back down. Does that make any sense?
I just started experimenting with this style and am wondering if I am on the right track. I do notice that I am getting more body rotation and that I feel like I am pulling a lot more water - but that could also be because I am going so slow to try and work on this. One thing I am worried about is that my turnover is already very slow and this seems like it could make it even slower. Perhaps my timing has been forever wrong and I need re-learn these basics even if I will be swimming slow before I can hopefully eventually go faster? I'm not sure if I have had a revelation or I am about to work on something that is going to mess me up even more.
My theory is that I don't float as well on the left side because the left lung is smaller as it shares the space in the rib cage with the heart.
Interesting theory, but how do you explain all of us who breathe better to the right?
In my case I think part of my problem breathing on my left is that my right hand enters too close to the centerline. If I enter more out near the invisible line running through my shoulder I seem to breathe better, at least until I tire. I suspect that when I'm tired my old centerline entry habits return (or something else goes haywire).
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I breathe on both sides yet it's more difficult for me to keep the arm extended while breathing on the right side.
My theory is that I don't float as well on the left side because the left lung is smaller as it shares the space in the rib cage with the heart.
Herb: check out this video:
YouTube - Great freestyle swimming tip
If you extend your arm while breathing it actually makes it easier. --mike
This is a longer video along the same lines:
YouTube - Freestyle Breathing
Make sure you are rotating your upper body and your hips to make turning your head to the side easier. Without rotation, turning your head that far to breathe will be difficult!
Interesting theory, but how do you explain all of us who breathe better to the right?
Sorry maybe I wasn't clear enough. When you breathe to the right you are in fact lying on your left side. And this side has less buoyancy because the left lung is smaller.
What events are you training for?
get someone with an Iphone 4 to make a video of you swimming freestyle
mainly so you can actually see what you are doing, the actual sight is way better than someones description.
film from several angles, from
the side,
head on coming towards, &
behind swimming away
Load it up on youtube
then post the link in this thread
the trick is to figure out what you should be doing instead to fix the problem
Actually changing stroke technique is difficult & takes serious concentration till the new habit sticks. I also think swimmers should only modify technique if it makes them faster or more efficient.
on HEAD JERKING
concentrate on smoothly turning your head to breathe
I've been working on my head position, trying to keep my head down. But I can't seem to stop jerking it up for breaths. So I was told to keep my ear against my shoulder to allow for a simple head rotation. It is here that I have noticed what I think is a fundamental problem in that my left arm (I'm breathing to the right) is already too far down to make this position possible.
The way it seems that I can counter this is by employing a more "catch-up" style where my left arm has to stay forward/paused until my right arm is almost forward and my head is back down. Does that make any sense?
I just started experimenting with this style and am wondering if I am on the right track. I do notice that I am getting more body rotation and that I feel like I am pulling a lot more water - but that could also be because I am going so slow to try and work on this. One thing I am worried about is that my turnover is already very slow and this seems like it could make it even slower. Perhaps my timing has been forever wrong and I need re-learn these basics even if I will be swimming slow before I can hopefully eventually go faster? I'm not sure if I have had a revelation or I am about to work on something that is going to mess me up even more.
Its very common for swimmers to lift their head up to breath, even when on their side they will still lift their head off the water and as a result their arm that is extended sinks. Its even more noticeable when swimmers use water as leverage and actually push down on the water to help them lift their head up and get air. Two things that may help you first of all how is your head position when not breathing?
If you are looking dead in front of you then breathing on the side will be even more difficult and you may feel tension on your Trapezius. So make sure that the water is breaking at your hair line and not your eyebrows.
If your head position is correct while swimming then comes the next challenge, breathing on your side. Make sure you complete your stroke as you breath, do not breath early you want your arm extended in front with hand as close to the surface as possible. As you finish your stroke you should rotate your head so that the portion of your head behind you ear is resting on your biceps. As you are on your side the water should break at the top of your head, in hand creating a bubble in which you can breath. If done correctly you will not have to turn your head too much to breath.
There are several drills that will train you to do this correctly, you cant just jump in and expect to get it right you have to train your body to do so. Motor skills if you will.
1. First drill you must do. One Arm Straight Other Arm to you side with a kick board, kick and turn your head to the side to breath. The way you do this drill is as follows. Hold the board on its side, place you left hand on the board keeping your elbow straight. Take your right arm and place it to your side. You should now be on your *** with one arm in front and one arm on your side, then kick. When your ready to breath without looking forward, you simply roll your right shoulder slightly to the side and turn your head to breath. Things to keep in mind is that do not look forward at all during the whole drill it will trow you off. Do as many as you like until you feel confident about it. The kick board is there to keep your hand stable why you focus on getting the right head position, if you do not use a kick board then you have to think about the arm and your body automatically responds by making you look forward.
2. Same drill as before but with a pull buey in your hand instead of the kick board. After that same thing again without kick board or pull buey.
3. Again with kick board add one arm pull to your drill. Pull using one arm and breath when you finish your stroke. You can break it up into sections. Both arms in front head down, pull to your side stay in that position and turn your head to breath, once you took your breath you can bring your arm back forward. Otherwise this drill is meant to get your body used to breathing and pulling at the same time. Once you do this with kick board and buey do it without.
4. Catch up freestyle. As you already mentioned you keep one arm in front while the other arm completes its pull and recovery one hand touches the other and they switch.
Don't forget to breath correctly, you do not want to inhale too much air because it will put strain on your cardiovascular muscles and they will become fatigue making your feel out of breath. Same goes for exhaling do not force the air out of your lungs it will wear you out. Instead practice breathing as you would be walking or running. One common mistake is people don't breath correctly and without the breathing the side breathing or anything else just cant happen. If you need to practice breathing just kick with a board arms straight and leave room to place your head. Let me know if you need any further help.
Do kick and roll drills. Drills kicking on one side. Use flippers if you need the propulsion.
Once you get used to turning with your legs and hips the head position will improve.
