General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Video of me swimming. Yes, I am horrible Rss Feed  
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2010-01-27 7:46 PM

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Subject: Video of me swimming. Yes, I am horrible
I decided to have my wife shoot two passes of me swimming with her iPhone and get some comments.
I know my swimming is not good, but I figured what the heck maybe someone can give me a few pointers to work on in my quest to become better. I was breathing to the right on every stroke to get a look at my technique. I am still working on the left side, but didn't think it would be beneficial to show right now.

Thanks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKYKOgfNAY8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R92a7t3LCGg


2010-01-27 8:01 PM
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Subject: RE: Video of me swimming. Yes, I am horrible

Couple of things that could be pretty easy to address.  Note the position of your right shoulder and hip and how much rotation there is (because you are breathing on that side).  Then look at how little your left side comes out in comparison.  You need more rotation especially to your left.

When you get this rotation going better, you will find it easier to get your elbow high during the overhead recovery.  When the body is rolled and the elbow is high, lead your arm forward with the elbow in front (not the hand) until you get at least to around your head.

This should make things more efficient, but it should also make things much easier on your shoulders.

ETA, I just saw the second video down.  Bend that right arm in recovery and bring your hand right past your ear (instead of swinging it out to the "long way").  Google the finger tip drill and maybe the zipper drill, they will help immensely.



Edited by bufit323 2010-01-27 8:04 PM
2010-01-27 8:09 PM
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Subject: RE: Video of me swimming. Yes, I am horrible

Couple of quick things before heading to bed, you need to work on your rotation, and your catch.  Search for a few videos showing proper technique and compare.  As of right now, your stroke is fairly inefficient, but can be fixed easily.

2010-01-27 8:12 PM
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Subject: RE: Video of me swimming. Yes, I am horrible
Thanks for the replies. I am really glad I finally did a video.
I looked at videos on fingertip drill and also on rotation and compared them to my own. Very big difference.
I have some work to do.
2010-01-27 8:19 PM
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Subject: RE: Video of me swimming. Yes, I am horrible
Looking at your right arm, specifically ... instead of leading with your hand when you finish your stroke at your thigh, pick up your arm by lifting your elbow. Think of it as an elbow pivot. The forearm and hand will follow where your elbow leads it, and will cause the hand to do less travelling (off to the side) and the shoulder will work more efficiently, as well. 

See the Endless Pool ad to the right of this forum page (not the thread page)? Notice the high elbows on the dude swimming? Instead of the hand travelling out to the side in an arcing motion, the hand moves in a much more linear (and efficient) manner to the head.



Edited by Renee 2010-01-27 8:21 PM
2010-01-27 8:30 PM
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Subject: RE: Video of me swimming. Yes, I am horrible
you're right, you suck, but so do I and at least you were brave enough to post a video. 


2010-01-27 8:43 PM
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Subject: RE: Video of me swimming. Yes, I am horrible
1) you are swinging your arms wide
2) your are rolling at your neck when you breathe, try keeping your head in a neutral position, you don't need to look at the sky, you just need your mouth out of the water.
3) your hand should be exiting the water at your hip not your waist.
2010-01-27 9:16 PM
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Subject: RE: Video of me swimming. Yes, I am horrible
You have a very funky right arm recovery.  Your left looked way better.

Suggestions:
Fingertip drag drill
Zipper drill
Drills to help fully extend linearly
Drills for smoother hand entry

goswim.tv has the best videos of countless swim drills I've ever seen.  Even watching videos of the folks swimming regularly can help compare your strokes.

Keep at it!  You could have looked much worse in the water.
2010-01-27 9:30 PM
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Subject: RE: Video of me swimming. Yes, I am horrible
carlwithac - 2010-01-27 11:16 PM You have a very funky right arm recovery.  Your left looked way better.

Fingertip drag drill
.


Funky. I love that word.

The fingertip drag drill will really help you a lot. Not only should it help your recovery, but as it slows down your stroke it will help you feel the water better. Give that a go to start- it's difficult/confusing for anybody to try to fix or work on everything at once, and with some improved breathing/rotation I suspect you will feel noticeably smoother in the water very quickly.

You're on your way!   
2010-01-27 10:06 PM
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Subject: RE: Video of me swimming. Yes, I am horrible
OH trust me hun, I have seen WAY WORSE at the pools I swim at. You aren't that bad off.

2010-01-27 11:31 PM
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Subject: RE: Video of me swimming. Yes, I am horrible
I've just started swimming again, so I am no expert, but one thing that I have been told is that the hand should enter close to the ear, and travel forward under the water. You are doing what I used to, i.e. reaching above water as far as possible.

But check the relevant websites suggested. Also,a tri magazine  (220Triathlon) last month had a DVD attached with swimming pointers, if I remember correctly. See if you can perhaps find it, or order it.


2010-01-28 12:34 AM
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Subject: RE: Video of me swimming. Yes, I am horrible
r1237h - 2010-01-27 9:31 PM I've just started swimming again, so I am no expert, but one thing that I have been told is that the hand should enter close to the ear, and travel forward under the water. You are doing what I used to, i.e. reaching above water as far as possible.

But check the relevant websites suggested. Also,a tri magazine  (220Triathlon) last month had a DVD attached with swimming pointers, if I remember correctly. See if you can perhaps find it, or order it.


I thought the same thing, but then I was told by a couple masters coaches not to... they said putting your hand in too soon acts as a break when you push your hand forward under water. It's much easier to push through the air than it is through the water. I've don't know which is correct, but it seems like the faster swimmers extend farther than their ear.
2010-01-28 1:40 AM
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Subject: RE: Video of me swimming. Yes, I am horrible
Synon - 2010-01-27 10:34 PM
r1237h - 2010-01-27 9:31 PM I've just started swimming again, so I am no expert, but one thing that I have been told is that the hand should enter close to the ear, and travel forward under the water. You are doing what I used to, i.e. reaching above water as far as possible.

But check the relevant websites suggested. Also,a tri magazine  (220Triathlon) last month had a DVD attached with swimming pointers, if I remember correctly. See if you can perhaps find it, or order it.


I thought the same thing, but then I was told by a couple masters coaches not to... they said putting your hand in too soon acts as a break when you push your hand forward under water. It's much easier to push through the air than it is through the water. I've don't know which is correct, but it seems like the faster swimmers extend farther than their ear.



Great!!! Now I am totally confused...Yell
2010-01-28 4:32 AM
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Subject: RE: Video of me swimming. Yes, I am horrible

I think it is supposed to enter about a foot in front of your head, the final extension should be under water, but if you do it too soon it will not be beneficial.  As others have said on another thread, hand should enter at a 45 degree angle in front of your head.

2010-01-28 5:16 AM
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Subject: RE: Video of me swimming. Yes, I am horrible
Keep your elbows high and dont swing your arms out wide. Another that l noticed is it looks like you are pulling through the water to wide. Imagine a line down the middle of your body and you want to make almost an elongated "S" when you pull and almost touch that line but never cross it.

Another thing to remember is your pull just doesn't come from your hand. You grab water from the tips of your fingers to your elbow, which means you are using your forearm to as well to grab as much water as possible through your pull. With that being said you want your wrist to be straight when you pull through the water, many people make the mistake of bending their wrists which is killing their pull! So from your fingers to elbow should be basically straight and think about grabbing as much water as possible
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