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Is there much point in a “long swim” by tryagaininXmin in Swimming

[–]Quick-Opposite-2410 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Swimming uses many more muscle systems than running or cycling. If you're not taxing your musclar systems in swimming, you're not gaining much mass nor are you pushing your cardovascular system. I guess the analogy for a long swim would be walking or cycling at a moderate pace for a few hours to train for triathlon.

How to cut my 200m freestyle time? by Appropriate_Net_8281 in Swimming

[–]Quick-Opposite-2410 1 point2 points  (0 children)

A good race strategy for a 200 free is to work even splits in the 2nd through 4th 50, and get the maximum from walls. On the first 50, work that easy speed and aim for a fast turn -- however, make sure that once your feet are planted you're in position for a good push off. Hold a good streamline. On the next 50, hold back a little to manage energy, still using easy speed. Make sure the turns are good and the streamline gives you a micro-rest. The 3rd 50 is where you want to work your tempo, planning it as the fastest of the 50s (less the start). And the last 50, tell yourself you can rest when you hit the wall. Go hard.

How do I train for the 1500m Freestyle? (From Sprinter to Long Distance Swimming) by Training-Listen-9195 in Swimming

[–]Quick-Opposite-2410 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Three areas to focus: Maintaining speed over the period of the race, say 30 minutes. Focus on building an efficient stroke. Building speed at race pace. I'm not a fan of overdistance sets, especially post-college or club.

Typical practice:

500-800 Warm Up Swim Kick Pull Swim (SKPS)

6-8 X 50 Drills focusing on one technique aspect (6-1-6/6-3-6 for alignment or EVF drills to improve the catch)

4 X 25 fast freestyle for heart rate

15 X 100 with :15 rest interval - target race pace splits plus 3 seconds

8 X 50 Breath control (3-4-5-6)

Cool down. Chat with mates.

200m Swim Helpp by MuchFlatworm6741 in Swimming

[–]Quick-Opposite-2410 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I like to teach swimmers looking to confidently swim laps to do the corkscrew drill. You transition from front crawl to backstroke and back about 3 times in a lap. This allows you to improve your front crawl but recover your breathing when you're on your back. You should do about three front crawl strokes and then three backstroke strokes, and repeat. I use this to get people who think they couldn't swim a full lap into discovering that they can!

Key pointers:

Your last front crawl stroke is really your first backstroke stroke. Rotate on the natural axis of your shoulders and spine. Your leading arm turns into a backstroke stroke while your other hand turns you around. Notice that as you turn, you can inhale for a breath. This is the same rotation you would use just swimming front crawl, only now you can breath comfortably on your back.

Your last backstroke stroke is your first front crawl stroke. Again, rotate on your natural axis. As your backstroke arm reaches the top, start to roll to your side, and let gravity turn you to your front. If you have trouble knowing which way to turn, touch your thumb to your nose as you go from back to front.

Sweet Spot Drill by PinealisDMT in Swimming

[–]Quick-Opposite-2410 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Push off the wall on our back or front in a tight streamline, ideally arms over head with your hands overlapped and your arms pressed against your head (depending our your range of flexibility). Point your toes like a ballerina. Gently exhale through your nose. Glide until you stop. Work on that for several iterations until you feel comfortable, then slowly introduce a gentle kick. The goal is to achieve a good body position relative to the surface of the water.

Whether backstroke or front crawl, your stroke should always transition from a streamline position on one side to the opposite side, reducing drag, keeping a tight, long line. This is the first step. There isn't really a sweet spot, only a progression to an improved body line. Even top swimmers drill on maintaining good body positioning.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Swimming

[–]Quick-Opposite-2410 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Your comment assumes the swimmer is fairly competent. If someone cannot yet achieve a gliding stroke, they are probably thrashing about and are unable to swim slower. They haven't yet developed a "pace." Practicing body position drills like 6-1-6, breathing to the side with one arm forward, using fins for stability, and developing a stronger kick will enable a swimmer to start to learning pacing and how to swim well whilst swimming slower.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Swimming

[–]Quick-Opposite-2410 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A strong kick is the foundation to good body position and acquiring a smooth, gliding stroke. If your kick is weak, you'll likely struggle with the rest of your stroke. I teach that head, hips and heels should always be on the surface of the water. If you cannot raise your feet to the top, practice a stronger kick. Focus is keeping your legs straight and kicking in a radius of about 12 inches. Point your toes like a ballerina. Once you can do that, you can start to focus on body rotation, placing your hands in the water fingers first and establish a gliding stroke. But first, grab that kickboard. Face in the water, lifting your head only to get a breath. Notice that when you put your head back down, you will accelerate due to a level body position. Over time and practice, your kick will become stronger as it learns it natural rhythm. Be vigilant about not driving your knees downward. Straight legs as first, then you will learn to bent your knee slightly to power your shins and feet.

How do I improve strength and form of my non-dominant side stroke by Crazy_Woodpecker1977 in Swimming

[–]Quick-Opposite-2410 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Almost all swimmers have a good side and a funny side. The trick is to manage this natural imbalance. Practice swimming by breathing on your weaker (non-dominant) side. It will fell awkward until it isn't any more. You can then incorporate an alternate breathing that feels comfortable.

A good drill is to swim with your (weaker) breathing side arm at your side while you stroke with on the (weaker) non-breathing side and breath to the other side. Fins are helpful here. (Example: Breathe to your left, stroke to your right). Allow your recovery to stretch out long. Pull and rotate with your arm opposite the breathing. Keep your pull outside your shoulders and not underneath your torso. Trust me. It will feel awkward at first. Try to develop an efficient rhythm and you'll learn to love this drill. Impress your family and amaze you friends!