I only started swimming freestyle less than a year ago and I'm still struggling with quite a few issues:
1. When breathing to the left, my head head-spine alignment vanishes and it appears as if I'm trying to change direction while lifting my head; I have no clue why I might be doing that.
2. I over-rotate when breathing.
3. Even with a slow hand entry, there's a lot of splashing going on.
In the answers to a few other posts I read that videos help, so I've put a few online:
Back/front view:
www.youtube.com/watch
Right side view:
www.youtube.com/watch
Left side view:
www.youtube.com/watch
In general, breathing in freestyle is problematic for me. When I swim relaxed enough to breathe with ease, my form totally degenerates and I'm wiggling through the water, almost flipping on my back when breathing. If I focus on a certain aspect of my stroke, for example, keeping my chin close to the shoulder or reaching out when rotating to air, or synchronizing my kick with my stroke, I find that I build up so much oxygen debt that I cannot swim more than two lengths in a 50 m pool without pausing.
I can only guess why--I probably forget to breathe out with sufficient force because I'm busy with other things and when I realize that I need more air than I'm currently getting, anxiety kicks in and everything falls apart.
I'll happily accept any comments on my videos or general advice that might help me not drown and maybe even improve my stroke. :)
Thank you!
Parents
Former Member
I noticed that both hands but the left is more notorious as it move toward the midline immediately after the extension of your arm. I would consider that a propulsive flaw that you may consider correcting. Your hand will move toward the midline of the body very naturally but only does so after it sets-up. You'll need to start your stroke very differently and that will take more than a few weeks to correct. Watch the following clips and then have someone video tape you swimming toward them so you can compare.
www.youtube.com/watch
www.youtube.com/watch
You can also go to youtube and type in EVF + Swimming and see a host of videos on the topic.
Good luck, Coach T.
I noticed that both hands but the left is more notorious as it move toward the midline immediately after the extension of your arm. I would consider that a propulsive flaw that you may consider correcting. Your hand will move toward the midline of the body very naturally but only does so after it sets-up. You'll need to start your stroke very differently and that will take more than a few weeks to correct. Watch the following clips and then have someone video tape you swimming toward them so you can compare.
www.youtube.com/watch
www.youtube.com/watch
You can also go to youtube and type in EVF + Swimming and see a host of videos on the topic.
Good luck, Coach T.
