Phelps' swimming style--odd?

Yeah I noticed that too. Looked like he is doing some sort of "catch up" type stroke where both arms are in front of him at the same time (front quadrant swimming as it is called in TI).

But it obviously works for him.

He also seems to gain time on everyone with his push-off from the wall.

He talked about that in an interview - and how WEIGHT LIFTING did that for him. 

Great, another weightlifting benefit that doesn't apply to triathlons.

Hmmm...we BT'ers are critiquing the Olympic Gold Medalist's techniques??

I found myself doing the same thing!  With the bike & the swim!

And I SUCK!!!

It only took me about 10 seconds to realize that if I had 1/2 the talent, drive, etc. of these fabulous athletes I'd be in great shape.  Then, & only then, would I be in a position to question their methods. 

Until that day, I'm playing Monkey See Monkey Do!

And trying to learn as much as I can from the superb performances!

Phelps is amazing btw...

I think that's exactly what we're doing here. We're not questioning his methods but observing his style and learning about successful swimming form. Noting differences doesn't mean we're criticizing him in a negative way.

You can see it very clearly in this Youtube video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax77_hHq9Dc

Watch around 50-55 secs- the flexibilty of his feet is amazing. No wonder these guys can kick 100m in 1minute!!!!

He seems to glide more on his none breathing stroke.

There's an interesting discussion of it over on that other forum:

http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=1926914;search_string=gallop%20swimming;#1926914

Somebody please send that boy a copy of their TI DVD!

I noticed a very pronounced 'pause' in his pull on his freestyle.  I've read about this and have tried to get into this habit but it doesn't feel natural to me. 

Sure was an exciting day for swimming yesterday! 

~Mike

Whatever works.

I saw the Sports Center version of the race as I couldn't make it that late last night.  Also read that Phelps beat the american record on his opening leg which was promptly destroyed by the fantastic final leg by Jason Lezak.  Talking about a swim of ones life right there, he lost a tenth on the first 50 down to the French dude but destroyed everyone on the way back, and beat frenchy by 6 tenths, amazing!  In the paper it said that he had a quick 5 second, can I or can't I type conversation with himself after the turn, basically it turned out to be a HTFU and do it!

Lezak's swim was phenomenol!  But the AR stays with Phelps (for now).  Only the lead-off swimmer can set an individual record in a relay event.  Australia's lead-off (Eamonn Sullivan) actually set a new WR in the race (47.24) taking 0.26 seconds off the old mark.  My guess is both the AR & WR will only last until the 100m individual race takes place.

 I can only say 2 things:

 That is a simply amazing video, there is so much you can learn from it. Second, after 40 years I am quitting swimming.