Are there elite swimmers that have a high head position?

RE: Are there elite swimmers that have a high head position?

Former Member — Wed, 25 May 2011 09:11:15 GMT

www.olympic.org/swimming-100m-freestyle-women Marleen Veldhuis, lane 5, She looks forward too.

RE: Are there elite swimmers that have a high head position?

rtodd — Wed, 25 May 2011 08:24:44 GMT

YouTube - ‪Michael Phelps - Swimming 04‬‏ Phelps' head is actually under water for a descent percentage of his cruise stroke. Head should be neutral to just looking ahead 1-2 feet. I think looking farther forward will start dropping hips. the sprinters seems to have a higher head position only because they are riding so high, but their neck spines look very much in line.

RE: Are there elite swimmers that have a high head position?

stanflys — Tue, 24 May 2011 11:23:06 GMT

I loved the video of Inge in the 50 free. Herb, you were right, she kicked bootie. Watching it, I was struck by the two swimmer's different catches. Inge was immediately into propulsion as her fingers touched water, but the closer swimmer has a very short pause on entry, causing a touch more drag. Both of them can kick my rear, probably even at my fastest. Maybe Inge would have been faster yet with a more neutral head position..... getting back to the thread. Interesting thought.

RE: Are there elite swimmers that have a high head position?

Former Member — Sat, 21 May 2011 16:13:08 GMT

What is the benefit in looking forward? The only thing which looks logical is that you get higher body position though you need a strong kick to avoid drag as it was mentioned. Any other benefits? Probably not, but for me my stroke feels like it falls apart as I have no feel for my arm position and hand entry. I basically lose recognition and control of most all other aspects of the stroke. It's no doubt a problem though so I need to at least inch towards an improvement. Maybe I can get away with it more if I at least stop lifting my head further to breathe.

RE: Are there elite swimmers that have a high head position?

orca1946 — Fri, 20 May 2011 12:26:25 GMT

It's hard to break old habits!

RE: Are there elite swimmers that have a high head position?

Debugger — Fri, 20 May 2011 12:09:09 GMT

What is the benefit in looking forward? The only thing which looks logical is that you get higher body position though you need a strong kick to avoid drag as it was mentioned. Any other benefits?

RE: Are there elite swimmers that have a high head position?

knelson — Fri, 20 May 2011 11:52:29 GMT

Since I have a weak kick would that sink my hips further, or is that a chicken and the egg where my weak kick (and maybe body fat) leads to a higher head position? I doubt it. In fact, I think people with a weak kick would definitely NOT want a high head position. I have a feeling sprinters with great kicks can get away with a high head. Holding your head high is going to affect your leg position, but if you have a strong enough kick to keep your legs up it negates this problem. Everyone else should try their best to look straight down at the bottom of the pool and be sure not to lift the head while breathing.

RE: Are there elite swimmers that have a high head position?

Former Member — Fri, 20 May 2011 09:54:12 GMT

I can't seem to get any comfort putting my head down so wondered if I could give up and emulate others with more this style. Herb, You may enjoy this article. ... We want your head oriented on your spine just as if you were standing at attention—imagine a skewer run through the crown of your head...I read it with great interest after learning about the new ways people were swimming in the 1990's. Head position in "neutral", and more of a front quadrant style became quite popularly coached. The key point is in reducing form drag. For some reason the head forward style was promoted back in the 70's and 80's based on the theory that the torso might ride higher in the water as in a hydro-plane effect. It's all hooey. Don't try to do it. :)

RE: Are there elite swimmers that have a high head position?

Former Member — Fri, 20 May 2011 09:03:53 GMT

Or even some videos? I thought this used to be taught more vs. the head being straight down. Or is a high head position mutually exclusive from elite swimming? I can't seem to get any comfort putting my head down so wondered if I could give up and emulate others with more this style. Head position is something personal. If you feel more comfy with a higher head position then so be it. As long as your body postition doesn't suffer from it.

RE: Are there elite swimmers that have a high head position?

That Guy — Fri, 20 May 2011 02:49:55 GMT

Sun Yang's 1500 from the 2010 Asian Games is interesting to watch for this reason. Early in the race his head pops up occasionally, but then he gets it back down. By the second half of the race, he keeps it down much more consistently. Also, it's just a great swim, well worth watching. Part 1 YouTube - ‪2010 Asian Games - Swimming / Men's 1500m Free Style Final 1/2‬‏ Part 2 YouTube - ‪2010 Asian Games - Swimming / Men's 1500m Free Style Final 2/2‬‏

RE: Are there elite swimmers that have a high head position?

Rich Abrahams — Fri, 20 May 2011 02:00:54 GMT

I've looked at several of the videos and one thing I noticed with the head forward swimmers (especially Inge and Brett) is that, although they are looking forward, their heads are not elevated but at or below the water line and in balance with the rest of their body. It's sort of like Phelps looking forward on fly. A no no for most, but he is able to keep low and flat while looking straight forward.

RE: Are there elite swimmers that have a high head position?

Former Member — Thu, 19 May 2011 15:37:03 GMT

YouTube - Janet Evans She had a very unique style. High head position though, will result in lower hips ...which creates drag. Not really recommended. Wow. I need to see more of that. I didn't realize her form was like that. Since I have a weak kick would that sink my hips further, or is that a chicken and the egg where my weak kick (and maybe body fat) leads to a higher head position?

RE: Are there elite swimmers that have a high head position?

Former Member — Thu, 19 May 2011 15:30:05 GMT

Inge De Bruijn (in the second closest lane) is looking straight forward. Looking straight down ay bottom of pool will be documented as being faster everywhere you read. With me I'm just as slow looking down as forward but looking forward towards the wall mistakenly feels faster. I am curious too, about head position of fast people . nevertheless, here's the vid of Inge YouTube - Athens 2004 - underwater view women's 50 free semifinal 2 She is looking forward and kicking ass against the girl looking straight down.

RE: Are there elite swimmers that have a high head position?

Jeff Commings — Thu, 19 May 2011 12:27:35 GMT

Take a look at the underwater video of Brent Hayden from the Commonwealth Games, when he went 47.98. You'll see that he has a high head as well, but Eamon Sullivan in the lane next to him keeps his head down. YouTube - ‪CWG Delhi 2010 - 100m Freestyle Final- Brent Hayden wins gold in games record time‬‏ It all depends on personal comfort. Obviously, a high head position works for some, but not others.

RE: Are there elite swimmers that have a high head position?

Former Member — Wed, 18 May 2011 11:47:10 GMT

YouTube - Ian Thorpe swimming freestyle 4 - kick and rotation ian thorpe.

RE: Are there elite swimmers that have a high head position?

Former Member — Wed, 18 May 2011 11:39:16 GMT

YouTube - Janet Evans She had a very unique style. High head position though, will result in lower hips ...which creates drag. Not really recommended.

RE: Are there elite swimmers that have a high head position?

__steve__ — Wed, 18 May 2011 08:24:20 GMT

Nystrands "slow" pace is not much off my "all out" pace:bitching:

RE: Are there elite swimmers that have a high head position?

Debugger — Wed, 18 May 2011 08:12:54 GMT

Stefan Nystrand - his head isn't as high as Thorpe's nevertheless he still looks forward, not down. YouTube - Stefan Nystrand (2002) - 50m freestyle slow pace YouTube - Stefan Nystrand (2002) - 50m freestyle all out IMO head position depends on kick - those who can feel kick only when feet are completely under water would find it's better to keep head higher.

RE: Are there elite swimmers that have a high head position?

__steve__ — Wed, 18 May 2011 01:26:31 GMT