I have a friend with the same problem. He is a huge devotee of the TI approach. It could be a coincidence, but someone else mentioned the extended glide and chin tucked down head position, both of which seem to be features of the Total Immersion philosophy (though perhaps I am wrong here.) You mentioned coaching for five years. Was your style inspired or influenced by TI?
In any event, I think probably the best solution if you don't think you would be able to change your stroke is to grow a beard. Once the hairs are a little longer, they lose that sandpaper abrasive quality. You might even be able to get relief just by sprouting one of those Don Johnson semi-beards from his Miami Vice days. I often have one of these, not on purpose but mainly because I don't remember to shave, and I don't get shoulder abrasion!
Either a beard or I suppose you could try applying some duct tape on the spot where the abrasion in the worst. This would likely stay in place for a good chunk of the practice and prevent the problem. If it works, you could come out with a line of flesh-colored duct tape for tough bearded swimmers.
I used to get that too usually the day or two after shaving, but now I have somewhat of a full beard and don't notice the stubble rub anymore. I remember it happening on my right side shoulder only, which is the side I usually breathe to. It may come from not getting your head back to a normal position quick enough after breathing.
Happen to me for a while. I used to put Vaseline on my shoulder and it helped. For me it was bad form. I was crossing over and really overemphasizing the glide. My head was also tucked in too tightly to my chest.
My chin never rubs my shoulder. Does it mean I'm not swimming correctly?:rolleyes:
Absolutely not. A few have told me to correct my stroke to fix this problem but I probably wont significantly change my stroke just so my shoulder doesn't get an abrasion. I was a swim coach for 5 years plus and saw lots of variations on swim strokes that all work. We all have different body types, slightly different shoulder designs etc. so that explains small acceptable differences in swim stroke.
