Swimming Tips

Whether you are a professional swimmer or one who is even still learning how to swim, having the right swimming techniques will be beneficial. Especially if you are still starting out in the sport, it is best to start with the right way to do it. The basics should not be taken for granted and should be emphasized well enough.

The appropriate swimming techniques will not only give you good form it will also make you an effective swimmer. You’ll be able to have more power behind each stroke and kick giving you that edge over the other swimmers. So while you would always want to go to advanced swimming lessons immediately or perhaps just plainly enjoy the time on the pool, it is to your advantage to stick to improving your basic swimming techniques right.

There are swimming camps that will help you with your swimming techniques. Their qualified swimming instructors will be able to evaluate your current style and form, and tell you how to improve them. These sessions may be private ones where you will be the only student, or in group settings where you will be together with other members of a class.

In evaluating your style, there is the Swim Stroke Technique Analysis. The instructor here will check your every stroke, start and turn. This may range from a half-hour to an hour session. Furthermore, there are private swim stroke lessons that will improve your swimming techniques, which will maximize your strength and increase your speed. One will also be able to learn how to improve balance in these sessions as well as reduce drag.

Some camps or training clubs can also video tape your strokes from underwater, at various angles so that you can review them for yourself. Usually, there are two angles underwater and two above water so that your form, strokes and techniques can be easily evaluated. It is preferable though that you get the tapes reviewed by professional instructors so that you will be guided accordingly and so that you can quickly detect the wrong techniques and employ the right ones the next time.

Improving swimming techniques are worthy efforts. Personally or professionally, such drive will be of use eventually. Swimming can also be made more enjoyable with the utilization of the right techniques. Your style will have more power behind it, and you will have good swimming speed. And come to think of it – if you love swimming so much, why not do it the right way?

Stroke basics

Swimming is a very difficult skill to learn, especially as it forces breathing to be more conscious and synchronized. You need to get your stroke basics practiced, practiced and practiced again. It takes time and focused learning of each component of correct propulsion, breathing and timing.

Stroke elements

Swimming well is not all about how many metres you cover but what you do in those metres. Understanding what each part of the stroke is trying to achieve means that you know if you are getting it right or wrong. You cannot think about it too much as this results in paralysis by analysis. However, just focus on yourself and stay relaxed.

Entry

From the high elbow with relaxed hand recovery, the flat hand enters the water just ahead of the head and in front of the shoulder. The hand goes into the water, downwards with the forearm and elbow following through the same hole created by the hand. This results in a rolling over on to the side of the body. • Wrong: outstretched with a flat forearm splash, reaching across your forward-looking eyeline or swimming with no body roll.

Catch

The palm must be turned back to face you, whilst still keeping the elbow high in the water. The hand is drawn backwards, pulling you past that point in the pool. The hand is looking to maintain pressure on the water and not slip. • Wrong: pulling inwards to the other side of the body or letting the elbow drop early in the catch.

Pull/press

Continue with this pulling backwards of the hand just below or alongside the body. This continues until the hand is alongside the thigh, elbow still slightly bent and palm facing backwards. Some experts suggest twisting the palm inwards at this stage before recovery. The arm should accelerate through this phase from the initial slower catch stage. The opposing arm extends as the propulsive arm finishes off, causing a body roll. • Wrong: pulling under the other side of the body, overextending the arm at the end of the press or failing to speed up the arm action through this phase.

Recovery

From the end of the press, the arm has released pressure on the water and the elbow lifts the hand out of the water. The hand remains low, just above the waterline, as the elbow lifts forwards. The hand is relaxed with either the palm backwards or facing you. The hand then passes the head and is set up for a flat palm entry.

Your mouth.

Your mouth opens and you will immediately inspire (breathe in) with little need for you to take a heavy in-breath. • Wrong: trying to both expire and inspire with your head out of the water, holding your breath too long or lifting your head too high to breathe.

Kick

As the metronome of the whole swim action, the kick needs to be rhythmical. Aim to initiate from the hip with the knee slightly bent on the downward action. On the upward lift, the leg is straighter Do not try to over-emphasize your kick; it should not be as propulsive as your arm action – remember that a triathlete also has to bike, then run. Eighty to ninety per cent of the event is yet to be completed when you exit the water.