Swimming for the Learner
There are 4 certified types.....Backstroke/Breastroke/Butterfly and Freestyle.
For today's lesson we'll concentrate on the Freestyle. Be aware I'm not a certified coach.
So the freestyle, the most popular stroke but from a technical point of view the most complicated. Why....because it has a lot more components to synchronize than the others.
To keep it simple I'm dividing it into 5 components which is...
1) The Catch (2) the Head position (3) Breathing (4) The shoulder turn (5) The Kick
The Catch
Simply put refers to the placing of the hand when entering the water. The idea first and foremost is for the hand to enter the water at the furthest point in front of the head. That way the hand grabs as much water as possible pulling back and under. A common mistake is to chicken wing resulting in the smallest catch possible. Less water, a lesser pull back, more effort or strokes and obviously less speed. As I've said, it's a common mistake with swimmers and it's a habit many of them suffer and unless its rectified and eradicated there'll be no advancement. To summarise, starting with a high elbow, the arm will straighten from the elbow, the hand will go past the face while in the air and will land at a point furthest from the head.
The Head Position
The most important component to a better Freestyle .....why?...because the Head Position is locked in with Breathing. The breathing technique in Freestyle is the most difficult component to master and is the the main reason why students of the sport fail to better their speed.
Continued
So for a start the head takes up a neutral position meaning still, face down, eyes looking down and slightly forward to the bottom of the pool. The chin is not to rest on the chest, slightly forward will do. Head roll is a no-no.
3) Breathing
This technique is the most difficult and complicated component of swimming. Mastering the technique is of paramount importance and it's the make and break of a future in the sport. I cannot emphasise it enough.
There is three parts to the technique. The first is for one side of the face or cheek to lift from the water while the other side stays in the water. The second part is to to create a hole on the side of the mouth to breathe through while the side of the mouth which stays in the water remains closed. Breathing is short and sharp blowing bubbles through the nostrils. Bilateral breathing is not recommended while learning th e technique. Coaches refer to the technique as half goggle.
Hop on down to any pool and observe the imperfections or poor technique of learner swimmers. Most will turn their heads sideways and upwards Giraffe like. When the head lifts the shoulder lifts with it causing the lower body to drop. When the body drops it creates drag. This causes a major slowdown in speed.
**** apologies......to be continued.....****