Freestyle Video

I would agree that the pool doesn't look like 50 yards. I counted 9 strokes which is pretty low even for the most accomplished swimmer (unless they are really trying to glide as much as possible). This is pretty typical TI swimming. The spearing arm recovery and the delayed, almost catch-up style catch are recognizable. Yeah it is designed more for long distance or open water swimming. Something interesting about TI that always raised my eyebrows. I read Laughlin's book about 3 years ago and he makes very frequent references to Alexander Popov as a model of efficiency. Now, the thing is, Popov had absolutely nothing whatsoever resembling a front quadrant style of swimming. Laughin in essence uses his name to lend his book some credence, but really the only thing Popov like about TI is the balance. Popov's power and catch were huge factors in his success, whereas TI makes these topics afterthoughts. That said, there is a lot to learn from the book.

I would argue the power output in a 100 is closer to 400-500 watts minimum, perhaps even approaching 1 hp.

I agree with the others. There are much better techniques out there. TriBy3 co-owner and swim coach Stefan Bill demonstrates the ideal swim technique in the Endless Pool and in a lap pool. Maybe this is ideal for him, but I wouldn't model my stroke after his. What is your end goal? If you are choosing to model your stroke after this guy's, then I am guessing you are doing longer swims, open water swims, where you are wanting to conserve energy. When I look at this stroke, I feel that he isn't reaching out far enough. He is not getting enough out of each stroke because he isn't reaching. I see this quite a bit with lesser experienced swimmers doing laps. Reaching out will help your hips rotate as well. He also doesn't attack the water. He's very relaxed, almost like he is swimming while asleep. Whatever you are wanting to do, find elite swimmers on youtube and learn from their strokes. For example, if open water is your game, search on that, or if 50 free is your style, there is a lot out there. This video is fine, but I wouldn't make the claim that this is the "ideal" swim technique. Ideal will vary from person to person and event.

I don't find what he is doing would work for open water swimming either.I agree with the others. There are much better techniques out there. If you are choosing to model your stroke after this guy's, then I am guessing you are doing longer swims, open water swims, where you are wanting to conserve energy. When I look at this stroke, I feel that he isn't reaching out far enough. He is not getting enough out of each stroke because he isn't reaching. I see this quite a bit with lesser experienced swimmers doing laps. Reaching out will help your hips rotate as well. He also doesn't attack the water. He's very relaxed, almost like he is swimming while asleep. Whatever you are wanting to do, find elite swimmers on youtube and learn from their strokes. For example, if open water is your game, search on that, or if 50 free is your style, there is a lot out there. This video is fine, but I wouldn't make the claim that this is the "ideal" swim technique. Ideal will vary from person to person and event.

What I would like to hear from all the TI guys is, what do they think of the video. 1. Do they think this is the right way to swim? 2. Would they use this as an ideal video in their program? 3. What I would like to ask and will I get an answer?

Originally posted by taruky - Popov's power and catch were huge factors in his success, Something to consider: When Popov broke Matt Biondi's world record in the 100 freesyle he actually used "Less" power than Biondi. Shortly after Popov set the new record, a Russian sports scientist named Dr. Sergei Kolmodorov calculated that Biondi used 33 watts of propulsive power (23.34 foot lbs. converted) when he set the record. When Popov lowered the record, Dr. Sergei reported a power output of only 24 watts, (17.70 foot lbs. force converted) or almost 30 percent less power than Biondi to go faster, and set a new world record. Budd

Please see the following link. When the PDF file opens, go to page 6. You will see a graph of force vs. velocity for a male freestyle Olympic medalist. At the peak velocity the average propulsive force numbers from this study are in agreement with the propulsive force numbers reported in the previous post. The propulsive force numbers you reported are quite a bit higher. OK, the hands (I guess excuding forearms) do not provide much propulsive force and may work out to show only 33 watts. This is suprisingly low, but perhaps accurate. My point was the person as a whole is probably in the vacinity of 1 hp of power output when in full sprint mode. I guess the breakdown is 33 watts to the hands during the pull and around 700 watts to the legs and to the recoverying arms.

I don't want to hear this BS about the pool being 20 yards. It's clearly either a 25 yard or meter pool. I can see the white floats indicating 15 meters and they are definitely more than 5 yards from the end of the pool (solid color floats). It's about a 34 second 50 yard swim with a very easy open turn. I think that's decent when you consider how effortless it looks.

Yes, definitely an endurance stroke where minimizing drag--possibly at the expense of propulsion--is the goal. Open water and triathlons come to mind. For those purposes I think this stroke would work well. It seems a little exaggerated, almost like he's doing a drill the entire time, but there's no question he's moving along at a decent clip without expending much energy. He is not minimizing drag with his body that flat and his head that low... You can't swim open water with your head like that either. And no he is not moving at a decent clip... he is 36 seconds in a 40 yard pool which is really slow. I'm thinking maybe 1:30 pace per 100... yards.

I think he is demonstrating a clean simple freestyle from which to build on and I think that is his intent. Swimming with pace will (should) make that stroke look completely different. I'm sure if he posted his 500 for time it would look different. For starters, you can't take four breaths per 50 in the 500 like he is doing here.