Anoooooother Swim Question

Forum guidelines BT super discount
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Anoooooother Swim Question Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2009-08-12 7:42 AM

User image

Veteran
294
100100252525
Papillion, NE
Subject: Anoooooother Swim Question
I have just completed my first sprint(Aug. 1) and am looking to do another Labor Day weekend. The first one, I swam freestyle, but with my head out of the water. I just wasn't able to get the head in water, breathing, strokes, etc. down in the 2 months leading up to it. Anyway, I have been trying to get the "normal" stroke, breathing, head in water thing down and last night, finally managed to make it 1000yds. I was very happy with this as I had only been making it 100yds. The big difference was I slowed down and really focused on the breathing and getting into a groove.
I was amazed at how much less energy it took to swim the "right way" in relation to my other way.

My problem is, I need help with the "leg kicking" part of it. I am having a hard time getting them to stay afloat and not wanting to sink. I just don't understand how to kick or what to do. I find myself bending/kicking at the ankles instead of the hips.

Thanks.

2009-08-12 7:49 AM
in reply to: #2343305

User image

Veteran
238
10010025
Lewisville, nc
Subject: RE: Anoooooother Swim Question
Are you looking down far enough at the bottom of the pool? if you look forward too much, your balance gets thrown off and your hips/legs naturally sink. Concentrate too on extending your arms as far as possible (reach) when your leading arm is in front of you. That helps to keep your body long and brings your legs up too. Also, you could try doing some drills with a kickboard out in front of you, and just using your legs to kick in the water. That helped me when I started swimming.

Oh, and BTW, congrats on getting your first grand (1000 yards in). Swimming more and more and more helps too. The "groove" is awesome. It'll come. Be patient.

Edited by scoli121 2009-08-12 7:50 AM
2009-08-12 7:57 AM
in reply to: #2343305

User image

Veteran
125
10025
West Hartford, CT
Subject: RE: Anoooooother Swim Question
If you look straight down, you will feel your buoyancy change and your butt come up - also roll your hips when you breathe. If you do these two things, atleast for me, I have found that it keep things "up" - as for kicking - I do not kick hard - its not likely you will see a splash from my kicking unless I am doing drills -

But I am no expert. Just what I do. 
2009-08-12 8:02 AM
in reply to: #2343305

User image

Champion
5376
5000100100100252525
PA
Subject: RE: Anoooooother Swim Question
I initially struggled to keep my legs afloat as well.  What I did was just practice finding my position in the water in which my legs naturally floated.  For me, if I lay on my stomach with my face down, I had to put both arms out and extend them to the point where it almost felt like I was reaching for a bar that was slightly behind my head.  That position kept me straight and everything was floating. 

Knowing that, I began stretching so that I could more easily get that feel in the water as I reached to swim.  That helped me tremendously.  I noticed that when I felt that stretch in the water, I saw the little tiles go by a lot faster.
2009-08-12 8:07 AM
in reply to: #2343305

Member
65
2525
Subject: RE: Anoooooother Swim Question
Hi,
there are also some easy training aids to practice with - use a kickboard to practice in the pool with. You can experiment with how different kicks feel.  Your feet  shouldn't splash the surface much nor should your knees bend. The kick should come from the hip using your whole leg (its also a great strength building technique).
Alos pull buoys are foam barbells that you hold inbetween your thighs and keep your lower body still so you can practice keeping your head in the proper position and focus on your arms.  Do some of each and then try putting your whole stroke together.
best of luck.
2009-08-12 8:10 AM
in reply to: #2343305

User image

Expert
1118
1000100
, North Carolina
Subject: RE: Anoooooother Swim Question
Yes... congrats on the 1000 block!  I just did my first 1000 yard block this morning too!!! 

I'm no expert either, but I did take swim lesson.  Lifeguard kept telling me to "Keep your face in the water!'  And all I could think was, "But I can't breathe!"

Some people lift their heads up to high to get a breath.  Don't lift your head at all, just roll it to the side with your ear to your extended arm, just enough to get your breath.

As for kicking, I've found using a pull buoy helps me keep my legs in proper position and teaches me how it should feel.

I definitely agree that slowing down makes all the difference in making the distance!

Think slow and steady, long and lean...

Good luck on Labor Day.  I'm right behind you on September 12 with my first open water!

This is just too much fun to be exercise...

2009-08-12 9:36 AM
in reply to: #2343305

User image

Veteran
294
100100252525
Papillion, NE
Subject: RE: Anoooooother Swim Question
Thanks to all, I really appreciate it. I do believe I have been looking forward, and not underneath me.
Also, I will try the kickboard or buoys to help with the leg placement/kicking.
2009-08-12 9:50 AM
in reply to: #2343305

User image

Veteran
189
100252525
Mississippi
Subject: RE: Anoooooother Swim Question
It's not really your head that's doing the balancing-it's largely your lungs-therefore you need to think about pressing down your shoulders and chest.  You don't want to press your head down too far to the point that you're "burying it" under the water-that would certainly create more drag than you want. 

It's fine to look forward when you swim-you just have to remember to press your chest/shoulders/lungs. 
2009-08-12 9:54 AM
in reply to: #2343624

User image

Champion
5376
5000100100100252525
PA
Subject: RE: Anoooooother Swim Question
rowotter - 2009-08-12 10:50 AM It's not really your head that's doing the balancing-it's largely your lungs-therefore you need to think about pressing down your shoulders and chest.  You don't want to press your head down too far to the point that you're "burying it" under the water-that would certainly create more drag than you want. 

It's fine to look forward when you swim-you just have to remember to press your chest/shoulders/lungs. 


I agree with rowotter.  As I described my position when laying face down, what the reaching out (almost behind my head) did, was push my chest down into the water and change the angle of my body.
2009-08-12 9:58 AM
in reply to: #2343632

User image

Subject: RE: Anoooooother Swim Question
Pector55 - 2009-08-12 8:54 AM

rowotter - 2009-08-12 10:50 AM It's not really your head that's doing the balancing-it's largely your lungs-therefore you need to think about pressing down your shoulders and chest.  You don't want to press your head down too far to the point that you're "burying it" under the water-that would certainly create more drag than you want. 

It's fine to look forward when you swim-you just have to remember to press your chest/shoulders/lungs. 


I agree with rowotter.  As I described my position when laying face down, what the reaching out (almost behind my head) did, was push my chest down into the water and change the angle of my body.


Yep. Push your chest down and flex your abs. This will force your butt up and your legs won't drag.
2009-08-12 10:40 AM
in reply to: #2343305

User image

Expert
2547
200050025
The Woodlands, TX
Subject: RE: Anoooooother Swim Question
First of all, I personally disagree with above suggestion of pressing your chest, but that's for a different thread. My question is, how does pressing your "chest" or "T" or "buoy" help his kick mechanics?


To the OP: A lot of people new to swimming start kicking like they run or kick with extremely straight legs, taking the "kick from your hips" a bit too literal. You kick in the water like you kick a ball. The motion starts in the hip, but the ankle is where you see the results show up. I would suggest getting an inexpensive pair of fins (not zoomers) and work on ankle flexibility while you work out the mechanics of the kick. The great thing about fins is that it will really flex your ankles and it will exaggerate your effectiveness, so when you start kicking right you will really notice. I also blabbed about it here if you're interested....http://badig.com/2009/02/improving-your-flutter-kick/

hope this helps and good luck.

TJ

2009-08-12 10:46 AM
in reply to: #2343305

User image

Coach
10487
50005000100100100100252525
Boston, MA
Subject: RE: Anoooooother Swim Question
DJS - 2009-08-12 7:42 AM I have just completed my first sprint(Aug. 1) and am looking to do another Labor Day weekend. The first one, I swam freestyle, but with my head out of the water. I just wasn't able to get the head in water, breathing, strokes, etc. down in the 2 months leading up to it. Anyway, I have been trying to get the "normal" stroke, breathing, head in water thing down and last night, finally managed to make it 1000yds. I was very happy with this as I had only been making it 100yds. The big difference was I slowed down and really focused on the breathing and getting into a groove.
I was amazed at how much less energy it took to swim the "right way" in relation to my other way.

My problem is, I need help with the "leg kicking" part of it. I am having a hard time getting them to stay afloat and not wanting to sink. I just don't understand how to kick or what to do. I find myself bending/kicking at the ankles instead of the hips.

Thanks.
You need to work on your body position, balance to be precisely. I am going to assume you are swimming like this:



instead of like this:



You need to focus on siwmming long, fix your position (let your butt touch the surface of the water), keep your chest pressed into the water but more as a way to help your balance and a neutral head position (looking down for beginners, slightly forward for swimmers).

Some drills you can work on:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGkiUCqmJs8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=417pD_jfmJw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWrAYcmexqQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fszey7mJSb4&feature=related

Also go to here for a lots of differen freestyle drills: http://www.goswim.tv/entries/c/12/freestyle.html

Finally consider using a pull buoy for a few lenghts and then swim without it to teach your body how it feels to have good body position. Another thing it could help are paddles (for technique not strenght) to teach you swim long and have better balance. Zommers are another good way to help your balance and improve your kick rhythm without the crutch regular fins provided, finally a more advance and cruel aid could be an ankle lock.

Good luck.

Edited by JorgeM 2009-08-12 10:49 AM
2009-08-12 11:14 AM
in reply to: #2343305

User image

Veteran
294
100100252525
Papillion, NE
Subject: RE: Anoooooother Swim Question
Great responses.
Yes, I assume I look like the guy with his legs down in the water instead of more horizontal.
I will give all these a try.
Thanks a ton.
2009-08-12 12:36 PM
in reply to: #2343305

User image

Extreme Veteran
751
5001001002525
Subject: RE: Anoooooother Swim Question
I have the same problem.
I just started the Total Immersion book/technique and this is object of Lesson #1.
It is (as many mentioned) about balance.
The drill he suggests actually starts on your back. The better you adjust your balance the less kick you need to keep your legs up. Then you progress to rolling side to side. In the beginning of first lesson I was kicking, but wasn't moving at all. By doing the drills I progressed to doing about 1/4 mile by the end of the hour without breathlessness. I am self-teaching. Pretty cool...moving through water easily after 50 years.
J
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Anoooooother Swim Question Rss Feed