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
The head-up freestyle with fins (dolphin kick) helps you anchor your head in one position as your body moves. (breath forward) This at least can reduce the head motion you're experiencing, and train you to do something different. (Then you'll have something to compare to.) This drill also has other benefits, it is very good for stroke timing/rhythm, and it will really help your core stabilizers, (since you don't like gym work) I'd try this 2-3 times per week until you've noticed some adaptation. Try another video during the drill, let's see if you're doing it right.
Enjoy, and good luck!
Thanks again, everybody, for your comments!
Even though I appreciate honesty and don't mind being confronted with the brutal facts, some encouragement from time to time feels very good. Thank you! :)
Fins--sounds like fun.
What is the desired effect of those drills? Strength, flexibility, anything else?
I don't fully understand how looking forward can help me maintain a straight line. Would you mind explaining that?
The head-up freestyle with fins (dolphin kick) helps you anchor your head in one position as your body moves. (breath forward) This at least can reduce the head motion you're experiencing, and train you to do something different. (Then you'll have something to compare to.) This drill also has other benefits, it is very good for stroke timing/rhythm, and it will really help your core stabilizers, (since you don't like gym work) I'd try this 2-3 times per week until you've noticed some adaptation. Try another video during the drill, let's see if you're doing it right.
Enjoy, and good luck!
Thanks again, everybody, for your comments!
Even though I appreciate honesty and don't mind being confronted with the brutal facts, some encouragement from time to time feels very good. Thank you! :)
Fins--sounds like fun.
What is the desired effect of those drills? Strength, flexibility, anything else?
I don't fully understand how looking forward can help me maintain a straight line. Would you mind explaining that?
