anonymous / July 31, 2014
I hope you are having a GREAT SUMMER! I wanted to share with you a tip on how you can have a Faster Freestyle. Just use your own eyes!
What do you mean, Karlyn? Well, one of the best tools to help you to improve your technique is to use your own eyes. Simply look forward (with your head still underwater) and watch your stroke in “real time.” While looking forward is not the ideal body position, it is a great way to see what you are doing. Here are some questions you can ask yourself about what you see.
Does your pull enter the water slightly wider than your shoulders? This hand placement gives you the greatest opportunity to have access to a high-elbow catch or early vertical forearm (EVF). Watch this video
Are you taking some kind of a glide? The glide is an on/off button that will allow your arm to take a small (or longer) rest break before you set up the pull/catch by “swimming over a coral reef.” Watch this video
Where are your fingertips pointing during the pull? The fingers should be pointed down or slightly inward, not zapping people in the other lanes with your lethal lazer pointer! Watch this video
Once you have visually TUNED into your stroke and changes have been made, go back to working on a more neutral head position and see the “fishies.” Also grab your smart phone and a friend to video your stroke from time to time….this really helps!