General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Pull vs. Swim performances Rss Feed  
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2009-12-24 4:40 AM

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Subject: Pull vs. Swim performances
Yesterday I did a test in the pool with a main set of 2x800meters with 30secs rest, done at 80% so not really at max effort.
First one normal swim in 1'53/100m average
Second one pull in 1'47/100m average

Is that normal? I feel always flying with the pull buoy and I think I see times like when I use the wetsuit, pull simulates very well the wetsuit in my opinion.

Now question for the swim experts: which drills/what should I do to equalize normal swim times with pull swim times? Is that possible at some points?
Should I expect to see even Pro swimmers flying with the pull buoy with the same percentage above posted?


2009-12-24 4:49 AM
in reply to: #2576431

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Pull vs. Swim performances
Ditto for me - quite a bit faster with the pull buoy and the longer the swim, the bigger the difference/100m for me.   When I swam in high school/university, I could probably have qualified for Nationals in the longer freestyle events if they had let me use the pull buoys.  I can't help you with any suggestions or drills but I know what my own issue is - my kick sucks.
2009-12-24 5:54 AM
in reply to: #2576431

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Subject: RE: Pull vs. Swim performances

It is likely an indication that you can focus on improving body position when you swim without the buoy.  When you are swimming with the buoy (or wetsuit) it improves poor body position by bringing your legs closer to the surface.

You wouldn't expect to see the same improvement with pro swimmers as their body position is most likely very good without the buoy so improvements would be less (or they may even be slower).

If you want to focus on improving your position, try doing pull drills with the buoy between your ankles; this will force you to engage your core and feel what your body position should feel like.

IMO the best drill to improve body position is swimming with a band; take an old inner tube and tie it around your ankles.  Then start swimming; I would say start with 25m at a time and rest between as it will be very challenging.

Shane

2009-12-24 7:04 AM
in reply to: #2576462

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Subject: RE: Pull vs. Swim performances
gsmacleod - 2009-12-24 5:54 AM

IMO the best drill to improve body position is swimming with a band; take an old inner tube and tie it around your ankles.  Then start swimming; I would say start with 25m at a time and rest between as it will be very challenging.

Shane


Shane, how does this help to improve body position?  Is the band to help teach your legs from splaying out to the side during rotation or is it something else?  Swimming is my weakness and always looking for help.
Thanks
2009-12-24 7:15 AM
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Subject: RE: Pull vs. Swim performances
Funny...I slow down when I use a pull buoy.  Guess I'm an oddity.  I'd say 5-10 sec/100 when I use a pull buoy slower than when I swim.  I think it's because I have a motor boat kick.

The tube thing around your ankles is HARD.  Do not let it fool you.  I thought my coach was trying to drown me when he gave those to me.  It forces you to push your chest further down in the water and keep your back end (legs and hips) high.
2009-12-24 7:18 AM
in reply to: #2576497

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Subject: RE: Pull vs. Swim performances
Marvarnett - 2009-12-23 2:15 PM Funny...I slow down when I use a pull buoy.  Guess I'm an oddity.  I'd say 5-10 sec/100 when I use a pull buoy slower than when I swim.  I think it's because I have a motor boat kick.

The tube thing around your ankles is HARD.  Do not let it fool you.  I thought my coach was trying to drown me when he gave those to me.  It forces you to push your chest further down in the water and keep your back end (legs and hips) high.


This is exactly what I am trying to do when I try to correct the position. I think I will try it immediately next swim session. It seems I am going to suffer...


2009-12-24 7:29 AM
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Subject: RE: Pull vs. Swim performances
I started using the band last year while swimming and it was hard but in time improved and I liked using it. I think it solved my feet getting splayed to far apart.

My pull time was slower than my swim when I started and in time got faster. I'm not sure why but an old swim coach told me when swimming in open water I fought my wetsuit. I think the pull bouy and band helped me with that issue and when doing ows in my wetsuit I was faster than pool swimming like normal.
2009-12-24 7:41 AM
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Subject: RE: Pull vs. Swim performances
Plissken74 - 2009-12-24 4:40 AM Yesterday I did a test in the pool with a main set of 2x800meters with 30secs rest, done at 80% so not really at max effort.
First one normal swim in 1'53/100m average
Second one pull in 1'47/100m average

Is that normal? I feel always flying with the pull buoy and I think I see times like when I use the wetsuit, pull simulates very well the wetsuit in my opinion.

Now question for the swim experts: which drills/what should I do to equalize normal swim times with pull swim times? Is that possible at some points?
Should I expect to see even Pro swimmers flying with the pull buoy with the same percentage above posted?


It is widely believed in swimming community that it is an indication of balance/ kicking issue. All the drills that address body position/ balance/kicking should help correct the problem.
I would start with the head position focus and work your way through side kicking drills progressing to more complicated drills/swims. I also suggest some form of coach assessment. In one 1hr session, one on one with our masters coach, I learned more about my swimming than I would in half a year on my own. 
2009-12-24 9:35 AM
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Subject: RE: Pull vs. Swim performances
Marvarnett - 2009-12-24 9:15 AM

The tube thing around your ankles is HARD.  Do not let it fool you.  I thought my coach was trying to drown me when he gave those to me.  It forces you to push your chest further down in the water and keep your back end (legs and hips) high.


x2 - when I first tried it I just assumed my swim coach had given up on me and would fish me out of the pool at the end of the practice

Shane
2009-12-24 10:14 AM
in reply to: #2576724

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Modesto, California
Subject: RE: Pull vs. Swim performances
gsmacleod - 2009-12-24 7:35 AM
Marvarnett - 2009-12-24 9:15 AM

The tube thing around your ankles is HARD.  Do not let it fool you.  I thought my coach was trying to drown me when he gave those to me.  It forces you to push your chest further down in the water and keep your back end (legs and hips) high.


x2 - when I first tried it I just assumed my swim coach had given up on me and would fish me out of the pool at the end of the practice

Shane


Bands and tubes are awesome, its so difficult it forces you to focus on position and rotation, there is no easy way with the bands. I also like to do fist drills with my band on. I have always done drills combined with normal swimming like Shane sugested, it will help you feel  and understand what you are doing wrong.
2009-12-25 8:03 AM
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Subject: RE: Pull vs. Swim performances
The thing I do to keep my feet together during pull drills is use my fins(No Kicking) or concentrate on keeping my feet pointed and Feeling my Big Toes Overlap on each stroke. Its helped my stroke efficiency loads.

Another good tip is to think of swimming downhill. and hide your head. These are Total Immersion Techniques and work very well.

There are other assistant tools like hand paddles, arm bands ect. I use hand paddles during my drills(Iso Arm, Pull, Catchup) to help improve arm strength and hand entry/exit. But not during my main distance sets or SPL sets.


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General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Pull vs. Swim performances Rss Feed