04-25-2008, 06:58 PM | #11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Norcal
Posts: 5,821
|
I think lowering the head is something that non-swimmers have a real tough time with over distance. They want to breathe and getting the head where it needs to be is awkward.
|
04-25-2008, 08:08 PM | #12 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,589
|
Quote:
A good drill is to kick only (head down) while thinking of pressing down on your chest--this will automatically raise your hips. As a checkpoint, you should feel the air on your butt and just the back portion of your head. Stop and look up when you need to breathe, then resume it. You should have the feel of swimming "downhill". |
|
04-25-2008, 08:40 PM | #13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Northern California
Posts: 2,919
|
This is what I was told several years ago and made a huge difference in my efficiency. Now I am down to a 45 or 50 minute mile instead of a 3 hour mile swimmer/dog paddler. ( I know 50 minutes is still not good, but compared to what I was before its world class)
|
04-25-2008, 08:49 PM | #14 |
Demiurge
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 36,365
|
pressing down on your chest, or pressing down with your chest?
|
04-25-2008, 09:22 PM | #15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Northern California
Posts: 2,919
|
|
04-25-2008, 11:27 PM | #16 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Rexburg, Idaho
Posts: 2,236
|
Keep your head down and rotate your hips to cut down on the drag. Arch is right about getting a feel for the water and grabbing a lot of water with your stroke. Complete your stroke also, don't short arm it. I worked like hell for three years and the best I could do was a 28 minute mile. Good luck.
__________________
"I always rode to my limit. If I won by three minutes, that's because I couldn't make four." Eddy Merckx |
05-27-2008, 02:47 PM | #17 |
Demiurge
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 36,365
|
I went to the pool yesterday. Didn't get in too much swimming because with kids.
I did practice the crawl. I worked on keeping my chest down. I think that helped a bit. I watched this: I don't keep my feet floppy. In fact, I think it is my too-fast kicking that is wearing me out. Ok, I can swim 25 yards with the crawl. I think I could do the 50yd, but I would be very tired. 75 yards, would be close to death. My last boyscout swim check I did the breaststroke for about 50yd, then the side stroke for 25yd for the required 75 yd front stroke portion. I would like to be able to do the crawl for 75 yards, and not feel like I am about to die. |
Bookmarks |
|
|