Have a question for any breaststrokers out there regarding glide time. I've always heard that when doing a distance event (200 ***) that it is better to increase your glide rather than try to sprint the entire event using much shorter glides is this true? Can someone please inform me as to the difference in using a longer glide rather than a shorter glide and are they both equal in terms of overall speed? Is this due to the swimmer becoming more fatigued using more of a sprint glide? Also, if a swimmer is capable of using a sprint glide for longer distances would it be better to do the 200 that way?
The rule of thumb is that you should end your glide when you get down to swimming speed.Since swimming speed is slower for a 200 than a 100 or 50 your glide should be longer.There is the confounding factor that time spent underwater is time spent not breathing and it is better to have a shorter glide than to breakout on the last turn with a gasp,but if you have trained to have a long glide on that last turn you should use it.
is this true?
yes
it's called RIDE THE GLIDE
look Kitajima's stroke rate & glide time in his 200 vs his 100
a swimmer should pace his 200 so he can hold around the same splits on his
2nd 3rd & 4th 50's, his 1st 50 should be easy speed.
he should feel like he could go faster but know that he shouldn't because it will worsen his 3rd & 4th 50's
Have a question for any breaststrokers out there regarding glide time. I've always heard that when doing a distance event (200 ***) that it is better to increase your glide rather than try to sprint the entire event using much shorter glides is this true? Can someone please inform me as to the difference in using a longer glide rather than a shorter glide and are they both equal in terms of overall speed? Is this due to the swimmer becoming more fatigued using more of a sprint glide? Also, if a swimmer is capable of using a sprint glide for longer distances would it be better to do the 200 that way?
I think I understand.
I would like to mention that I've timed myself on the 200 with both a longer glide and a short glide. Though the turnover rate in terms of taking a stroke is higher during the short glide and more taxing on the body I found that my time was slower using the longer glide. Why is this?
Very confusing stroke for me.:cane:
Rereading your post I think you may be referring to the glide between strokes instead of the pulldown,but the same principle holds,including oxygen.With a longer glide you use less energy,but you are also breathing less.Also how well you glide is dependent on how good your kick is and how well you streamline.Arm dominant breaststrokers generally do better with less glide than leg dominant swimmers are able to get away with,As a coach said about natural breaststrokes in one of my favorite quote"only a few,blessed by God,are allowed to glide."
I think I understand.
I would like to mention that I've timed myself on the 200 with both a longer glide and a short glide. Though the turnover rate in terms of taking a stroke is higher during the short glide and more taxing on the body I found that my time was slower using the longer glide. Why is this?
Very confusing stroke for me.:cane:
Good ideas and will try them.
It's all starting to make some sense now but I tell you breaststroke is a pain in the *** to figure out sometimes. Another problem I have is the lunge forward into streamline position on every stroke. Are there any drills to help with this? I've noticed some good breaststrokers know how to not only use their shoulders and upper body but can really drive the head "forward" under the water as if slipping under a sheet on the bed. I can KIND of do it but still need to develope more power when lunging forward.
Are breaststroke pulls with buoy the only exercise for this?
Check the breaststroke lane for drills. I compiled a list of them based on forum input and posted it there. Should be in the most recent couple pages. Specific drills for what you want might include:
2 (or more) br pulls/1 Kick
Br Pul with fins (flutter or dolphin)
Br pull with dolphin kick (no fins)
That's what i would try. Allen might have some better drills for what you want to focus on.
Good ideas and will try them.
It's all starting to make some sense now but I tell you breaststroke is a pain in the *** to figure out sometimes. Another problem I have is the lunge forward into streamline position on every stroke. Are there any drills to help with this? I've noticed some good breaststrokers know how to not only use their shoulders and upper body but can really drive the head "forward" under the water as if slipping under a sheet on the bed. I can KIND of do it but still need to develope more power when lunging forward.
Are breaststroke pulls with buoy the only exercise for this?
BR pulls with fins/dolphin kick would be the best drill I can think of.Again,can we see a video?
Good ideas and will try them.
It's all starting to make some sense now but I tell you breaststroke is a pain in the *** to figure out sometimes. Another problem I have is the lunge forward into streamline position on every stroke. Are there any drills to help with this? I've noticed some good breaststrokers know how to not only use their shoulders and upper body but can really drive the head "forward" under the water as if slipping under a sheet on the bed. I can KIND of do it but still need to develope more power when lunging forward.
Are breaststroke pulls with buoy the only exercise for this?
Is it possible for arm dominant breaststrokers to be just as effective as leg dominant ones? And how can one tell which one they are? You are correct I was talking about the glide between strokes. Still I don't think I got the answer I am looking for to my question though. Is it possible to swim a 200 using a 100 glide pace if one has the endurance to hold it or is it better to lengthen the glide thoug you kick less and breath less.
what ever works best for you....
I have two styles, one for the 50 & 100, and a longer stroke with my 200. there is no way I could last a 200 with my 100 tempo
but there is a 19 yr old that swims with us, that has the same stroke for all three events. the only thing he does differently with the 200 is pushes his underwater pullout roughly 1m longer to rest on his turns.
Is it possible for arm dominant breaststrokers to be just as effective as leg dominant ones? And how can one tell which one they are? You are correct I was talking about the glide between strokes. Still I don't think I got the answer I am looking for to my question though. Is it possible to swim a 200 using a 100 glide pace if one has the endurance to hold it or is it better to lengthen the glide thoug you kick less and breath less.
Maybe you could look at it this way. If you could swim your best possible 200 using your 100 glide pace, could you swim a 100 faster by decreasing your 100 glide?
Some other things to consider:
Is your glide efficient? If you aren't achieving a good streamlined position, this may be why a shorter glide produces better results.
Do you practice gliding? It takes effort to develop this skill. Try to swim 25 yards using only a pull-out and just 2 or 3 pulls. It will be a lot slower but you get used to holding the streamlined position longer.
Do you practice kicking? My knees are bent funny so it tends to be a little more natural for me to kick br. But I've made a lot of adjustments to improve my kick and it has gotten a lot faster.
If you have any video of your stroke, you can post it and get great advice on where to improve.
