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 had a quick look at what other members have said so far. I won't get into deep details about stroke mechanics since it's already been covered extensively.
The thing that bugged me at first sight and that still bugs me a bit is that given your execution of freestyle, I am not sure that your *basic* hydrodynamic position is sorted out. You know when you push off the wall and glide underwater by adopting a *rocket-**** position? I'd really like to see this.
I'd like to remind you (I am sure you've heard it over and over) that at your level, *Stretching* is very important and should have a beneficial impact on your ability to implement several suggestions made by other members so far.
The thing that bugs me with your executions (over time) is that your upper body muscles (upper back, shoulders and probably pectorals etc) seem to lack flexibility. You seem to be very strong, gifted on the muscle mass side, but I am not sure that you spend enough time is stretching as much as it is required to get this *rocket-like* perfectly hydrodynamic position. This basic feeling of being hydrodynamic should translate into a stroke that is more fluid.
So my 2 pennies, stretching !!
I had a quick look at what other members have said so far. I won't get into deep details about stroke mechanics since it's already been covered extensively.
The thing that bugged me at first sight and that still bugs me a bit is that given your execution of freestyle, I am not sure that your *basic* hydrodynamic position is sorted out. You know when you push off the wall and glide underwater by adopting a *rocket-**** position? I'd really like to see this.
I'd like to remind you (I am sure you've heard it over and over) that at your level, *Stretching* is very important and should have a beneficial impact on your ability to implement several suggestions made by other members so far.
The thing that bugs me with your executions (over time) is that your upper body muscles (upper back, shoulders and probably pectorals etc) seem to lack flexibility. You seem to be very strong, gifted on the muscle mass side, but I am not sure that you spend enough time is stretching as much as it is required to get this *rocket-like* perfectly hydrodynamic position. This basic feeling of being hydrodynamic should translate into a stroke that is more fluid.
So my 2 pennies, stretching !!
