Swim form...roll or no?

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2005-04-20 3:54 PM

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Champion
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Subject: Swim form...roll or no?
When swimming, does your upper body/torso roll or not? I tseems to be more natural to roll slightly as the arm comes out of the water. Is this correct form, or not.

Also, I find my legs seem to ride higher/easier if I put my head into the H20 a little deeper. Correct, or not?

2005-04-20 4:01 PM
in reply to: #145432

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Expert
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Subject: RE: Swim form...roll or no?

It really depends on what style swimming you are doing.  If you are doing the Total Immersion techniques, it stresses to roll your entire body and to push your head into the water so that only a sliver of your cap is showing.

Total Immersion is the only style that I have learned, so I can't give you specifics on others.

Hope this helps!

Katie

2005-04-20 4:10 PM
in reply to: #145432

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Veteran
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Subject: RE: Swim form...roll or no?

I agree, both of those concepts are taught in TI.  I have read the TI book and gotten some pointers but haven't committed completely to the program.  But those are two things I have tried to put into practice in my swimming and it has made me much more comfartable in the water.

2005-04-20 4:17 PM
in reply to: #145432

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Expert
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Subject: RE: Swim form...roll or no?
Definately roll.
2005-04-20 4:43 PM
in reply to: #145432

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Master
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Lexington, Kentucky
Subject: RE: Swim form...roll or no?
You should roll at least a little. Some coaches will tell you to roll a lot.

Keeping your head down will shift your center of bouancy back just a little bit
2005-04-20 4:47 PM
in reply to: #145488

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Champion
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The Green Between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh
Subject: RE: Swim form...roll or no?
Cool....thanks for the advice. Appreciated.

2005-04-20 5:00 PM
in reply to: #145432

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Subject: RE: Swim form...roll or no?
Definitely roll. If I'm following my coach's instructions correctly, my shoulders get nearly perpendicular to the water surface. This makes it easier to take a breath more quickly and smoothly. When you breathe, your body position should be the same as when you're taking a stroke with your face in the water. Your breathing and non-breathing strokes should also take the same amount of time. The only difference would be the position of your head (facing up or facing down, with the spine staying in a straight line). It's also easier and quicker to move your arm since the majority of the movement happens out of the water.

You might want to think about pushing your chest down in the water, not your head. Your spine should stay straight. This definitely helps with keeping your legs up toward the surface.

Mike
2005-04-20 5:25 PM
in reply to: #145432

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Subject: RE: Swim form...roll or no?
TI or not, body roll is important.  You will be faster on your side so that's where you should be swimming...just consider flat on your stomach/chest as a temporary transition point between sides.  Swimming flat also requires you to lift your head for air which results in your feet dropping and poor body position.
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