Swimming technique facts: body positioning
For most of us, who did not grow up swimming, technique is the key to faster swimming times in the future.
I learned to approach swimming with a long-term perspective, work systematically and be patient! I had been swimming a little for some years but I really started swimming three years ago. This is a picture from a swimming analysis video after my first competitive year.
What do you see? My elbow enters the water first, my whole body is literally submerged in the water, and I am dragging myself with zero body rotation. BAD.
This is a similar picture from a swimming analysis video today, two years later.
Things that have changed: More body rotation, almost no elbow drop in the entry and pull stroke phase and high elbow in the recovery phase. Not good yet but certainly BETTER.
Lots of things helped me improve. Things that have worked for me may not work for you but here are the four must-dos that improved my swimming technique:
1. LOTS of kick-sets!!! Especially side-kicking without a board !!!
2. LOTS of swimming drills like the hand-sweep/high-elbow drill, the catch-up drill and sculling drills
3. Slow and steady training volume increase over the years (one of Dave's favorite: warm-up, main: 3x1000 descend 1-3, warm-down)-gave me confidence with distance
4. Regular strengthening exercises for chest, shoulders, back, biceps and triceps
Always keep your head around the following quotes:
One step at a time.
Be patient.
Be consistent.
Get advice from experienced coaches and
Keep working hard!
Happy Swimming!
I learned to approach swimming with a long-term perspective, work systematically and be patient! I had been swimming a little for some years but I really started swimming three years ago. This is a picture from a swimming analysis video after my first competitive year.
This is a similar picture from a swimming analysis video today, two years later.
Lots of things helped me improve. Things that have worked for me may not work for you but here are the four must-dos that improved my swimming technique:
1. LOTS of kick-sets!!! Especially side-kicking without a board !!!
2. LOTS of swimming drills like the hand-sweep/high-elbow drill, the catch-up drill and sculling drills
3. Slow and steady training volume increase over the years (one of Dave's favorite: warm-up, main: 3x1000 descend 1-3, warm-down)-gave me confidence with distance
4. Regular strengthening exercises for chest, shoulders, back, biceps and triceps
Always keep your head around the following quotes:
One step at a time.
Be patient.
Be consistent.
Get advice from experienced coaches and
Keep working hard!
Happy Swimming!
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