I am pretty stoked to finally get some good swim instruction. I've spent time looking at instruction video, reading articles and then trying to put those into practice at the pool. But like anything, if you're told the proper way to do something and can practice it, you'll get better. As opposed to practicing something you think is right and potentially (most likely) ingraining bad habits.
Evan and I met at my usual pool (Rossi pool) and to Evan credit, he met me at 6am. God knows that at 25, I only saw 6am if I had a tee time and there was beer involved or I hadn't gone to bed yet.
After chatting a bit I hopped in the pool to swim a couple of lengths while Evan watched, probably thinking... "crap, what have I gotten myself into". He was really diplomatic as we began to talk about the things I need to work on.
We stared with the Kick. I'm tending to kick from the knee instead
of the hip (think scuba diving kick). And Evan confirmed what Ben had said about the type of swim briefs I should be using (which I knew about a la a blog that seemed pointed directly in Loren's direction); the TYR polymesh trainers. The main reason for this is so I'll feel the water on my thighs, making me kick more from the hip. Adios to my Speedo Lycra Jammers.The next thing we talked about and then worked on was a side drill. This is essentially getting my arm in the proper position for the proper catch and so I don't drop my elbow and pull. It goes like this... put your arm straight above your head and then stretch it higher until your shoulder touches your cheek; your shoulder should rotate slightly inward.
Now for the drill:
- Keep my arm in previously mentioned position
- Head in the water looking down but slightly forward
- Body on my side
- Non water arm... shoulder out of the water
- Kicking from the him (not the knee)
- And... comfortable/relaxed enough to rotate my head and breath when I needed to
- oh... and up the right arm and back w/ the left arm
Needless to say... I'm paying Evan AND I want to be a better/faster swimmer so I'm going to do what he tells me.
The first 2 lengths I sucked. I did everything mostly wrong but managed to make it up and back struggling for air (mainly just holding my breath as long as I could before I had to pop my head up for a Gasp). Evan gave me some good feedback and I kept doing this drill. After a while, I started to feel comfortable and things actually came together by the end of the session; especially being able to easily/comfortably turn my head and take a breath. I still have a long way to go...
It should look something like this: (although I didn't use fins)
Well... that was lesson 1. Practice, Practice Practice!
Thanks Evan, See you next Thursday (6am).
Posts
1 comments:
What I would give to have a Cal men's swimmer giving ME personal swim lessons...sigh...
I know, I just have to fork over some cash. But I already get great coaching through master's so it doesn't make sense. ;)
Congrats on getting through the first swim session! No doubt you are SERIOUSLY giving yourself a huge leg up by having an amazing swimmer coach you on your form. The Cal men's swim team did a clinic for my master's team back in Berkeley last year and they were phenomenal.
It's like you said - you can look at videos and books all you want, but until somebody says "well, you're doing this and this all wrong" - you might not know you're doing it wrong.
Good luck! Practice makes perfect (or better...)!
Post a Comment