It's difficult to be so definitive about it but I would suggest that
breathing stops many people from being able to swim FS to a really good
standard. The knowledge that you simply have to rotate to breathe is
hugely important and once your brain accepts that fact your body will
flatten and you will be more streamlined and less panicky.
We naturally want to pull our heads out of the water (it makes absolute
sense) so not rotating leads to a large number of problems, pushing down
with the arms, snatching at the catch, poor timing of breathing to name
just a few.
Bill Boomer is one of the most interesting, misunderstood swimming
professors in the last several decades. I discovered tapes of his clinic
at usc in 96'. The clinic was from 92'. He has taken all 4 strokes and
turned it into a college course of stroke efficiency. I have used his
methodology to build many incredibly fast and more importantly athletes.
Well, body position and floating (balance) is the foundation everything
is built off of. If you can't float then you aren't going to be able to
move very easily or efficiently through the water and therefore you will
be limited for how long (and far) you can swim.
That being said the thing that usually has the most negative affect on
balance and body position is breathing (and if you can't breathe you're
not getting very far either) in my opinion the majority of stroke errors
stem from poor breathing habits
So which comes first the chicken (body position) or the egg (breathing)
My comments above come from not only the years at Stanford working with
Richard, Ross, and Boomer, but then in using alot of technology in the
years at Mission Viejo, then even better technology working with
Genadijus to build better symmetry in Mark Warkentins stroke for the
World Championship and Olympic 10k Marathon Swims. Then moving to
Colorado and occasionally now working with the Paralympic Resident Team I
am reinforced daily in attepting to create symmetry where it doesn't
exist. Once you work on freestyle efficiency with world class athletes
who are missing limbs, you open a whole new set of awesome challenges.
Coach at EPS-Triathlon and Partner at August Consulting Services
I agree with Mark - balance generally and then being able to breathe
without mucking it up. As Dan has suggested (privately), the common
denominator to these two is head position. Head up = feet sink. Anyone
who rides a bicycle/motorbike or who skis will know that the body will
follow the head - look right and you'll turn right, similar deal in the
water.
Professor and head of school at University of Canterbury
There is some variation in trems but i am problu in areent with many in
the discussion. For me body alignment (including head position) is
foundational for all strokes because it is so influential on reducing
resistance in all aspects of the stroke. Along with propulsion/thrust
these are the twfundamental cpncrpts of swimming.
A third component which overrides body position and breathing is head/
neck position. (See Art of Swimming -Steven Shaw- Swimming using the
Principles of The Alexander Technique-http://www.artofswimming.com/#!front-crawl-videos/c8g3 ) If there is tension in the neck the body will never be balanced and breathing is always impaired.
I would suggest that all of these positional posts were fundamentally to do with breathing.
I get swimmers to swim on their sides with heir arms by their sides
(normally with short fins) kicking only in a neutral position turning to
breathe, trying to keep the upper facing arm out of the water all the
way down to the wrist. Initially swimmers change sides by length and
then after every breath. Swimmers shouldn't move their heads when they
move their bodies nor their bodies when they move their heads, isolating
the rotational element and ensuring (hopefully) they keep to a straight
line.
Initially swimmers will often over rotate to breathe, I'm not too
worried about that, the aim is to maintain a straight body with no
twists or head lifting. They will slowly gain confidence and rotate
less.
If a swimmer feels water moving up the arm then they have normally
lifted their head. If they go off line they have either twisted, kicked
from the knee or their head isn't in a neutral position.
I was asked what I do to practice breathing in FS and this is
fundamentally it - although as has been pointed out with the posts,
reducing swimming to one element is very difficult. Taking video
underwater often helps the swimmers see exactly where they are
introducing faults.
SWIMMING TEACHER at SALENDINE NOOK SWIMMING STROKE TECHNIQUE/HUDDERSFIELD CRUSADERS SC
Dan..you have made us think....well, I would say there are several
components that go together to achieve a good frontcrawl stroke...all
equally as important and necessary to work in unison to achieve a
perfect stroke...balance (core strength) head position, long arm stroke
to achieve a good breathing pattern, arm pull under the water making
sure the arm does not pass the centre, making sure the body remains
central and avoid snaking by over extension
Aquatic Director at UCSB and La Cumbre Country Club
Analysis of corrections usually begin with body position and correcting
that has a positive effect on the other conponents of the stroke.
Breathing and timing layered on good body position allows for speed when
coupled with endurance.
Boilerperson/handiperson - swimming instructor/Coach - Past Water Safety Officer for the region - Past Swim Pool Manager
The use of the core of the body to achieve the maximum in both
propulsion and body streamlining - the early drills of the TI system
were great in explaining and achieving this but sadly Terry has gone now
away from it to a certain extent - thankfully I still have his original
vids based on Bill Boomers concepts.
Boilerperson/handiperson - swimming instructor/Coach - Past Water Safety Officer for the region - Past Swim Pool Manager
oops I came in late in the day - got the short list of replies. See Bill
Boomer has been mentioned many times and I was lucky to see him when he
came to NZ many years back and had already been using the TI system
both in teaching and coaching. It was like putting the other 2 to the 2 +
2 system. Just to add a little more from personal experience poolside. I
have found that working really hard along with core body line that
being adamant that my swimmers have a controlled 6 beat kick that they
find it far easier to get their heads in position to breath easier - I
am constantly working on this and currently doing just that using a
metronome and getting a smoother rhythm in the kick and seeing vast
improvement in core body/head turning for breathing, Sounds like many of
you have already been using this but it doesnt hurt to mention it - it
might just help someone who hasnt thought of it
Business development, program development, education and training
Long axis rotation & DPS...once the body line is elongated and there
is rotation to sides with lead arm extended forward/ear pressed into
lead shoulder for support; it's so much easier to relax and roll to
breathe (think "rotisserie") without lifting head position ("one goggle
eye in h20"). Takes care of body rotation, breathing, windmilling and
body alignment.
I like the discussion from everyone. I find myself looking daily. I
think the original question was if you had to pick only one component,
which would it be. As it goes, my question would be for each if the
competitive strokes.
Recreation Program Coordinator at Ithaca Youth Bureau
Body positioning that adds to lift when combined with the propulsion of
the power phase and kick. In a vacuum, taking breathing out, You can
swim the stroke with a snorkel and if you don't have the correct body
position/symmetry of stroke you just won't be powerful or efficient.
Boilerperson/handiperson - swimming instructor/Coach - Past Water Safety Officer for the region - Past Swim Pool Manager
Love that Michael.....Agree whole hardheartedly with the snorkel concept
- too many coaches push their kids to quickly looking to make names for
themselves through their kids and rubbish things like snorkels and fins
to achieve technique first and then strength/power to add to the
technique - without that perfect technique or as near perfect as you can
get all the power in the world will not achieve the maximum result -
there is also the problem with pushy parents which, of course, is
another subject.,
after reading all these doctoral thesis I would like to add, KISS,
personally if I use some of this speak with the very bright and engaged
10yo that practice with me.. they will become disengaged very quickly.
So to answer the ? what is the most important element ....KISS They
can't do what they do not understand
Boilerperson/handiperson - swimming instructor/Coach - Past Water Safety Officer for the region - Past Swim Pool Manager
Daniel.....sorry dont agree. I have had a 11yr old this morning in the
pool explaining the relevance of the kick to her breathing and even gave
her an article to take home and read just to amplify what I have been
explaining to her and I will bet she will come back to me tomorrow with
pertinent questions - and she has dyslexia. Most of my current group age
between 9 and 12 and they all understand what I am explaining to them
regarding this current subject - maybe I have to repeat it several times
to some but they all know about body rotation, 6 beat kick, reach and
the like. It all depends on the presentation and the back-up. Kids sure
aint dummies.
never said they were, I said keep it simple the stupid is a reference to
the genius presenter I am a simple man. I'll just take my 35 + years
experience and credentials and slip into the shadows with the dummies.
Daniel, I agree, simple is the best for the young and old alike. It takes real focus to be able to help the students of swim.
I remember in 1972, I was a student teacher in our HS Learn to Swim
program, I was assigned the challenging station1. Getting the kids from
the deck into the water and ready for station 2. It was a great
challenge.... but I really wanted to work in station 8, butterfly...
Swimming is a Life Sport, we are here for the kids.
Last week, this week, they all run together for me at this time... (I
love the water.).. I had a 13yo, 8th grader tell me he wanted to make
the hs team next year. He can swim, but not well and not straight. So we
discussed some of his school efforts, we talked about a math test. So I
suggested he become a like his favorite #2 pencil, and relax, and swim
straight.
His results in two weeks are substantial, and he is enjoying the water.
Will he be a champion swimmer? He is a champion in my eyes already, he
as a passion for the swim.
Its all about the swim. Heading to -8 tonite here in Chicago. De reir a
cheile a thogtar na caisleain....will see you again soon.
Boilerperson/handiperson - swimming instructor/Coach - Past Water Safety Officer for the region - Past Swim Pool Manager
Hey Dan, you started when I did, maybe I was a little older. I was the
same being put into a club learn-to-swim and proverbially, at the deep
end. Luckily I had been a swimmer, not a very good one I must admit as I
was actually a racing cyclist. And none of the others except the head
coach who wasnt interested in teaching or not much else than his
champion daughter (14). So we all floundered on. Some time later I found
that teaching the kids how to walk properly down the pool ladder was a
great intro to the water and I have done that ever since with little or
no problem. Can tell you it is stinking hot down here in NZ and perfect
swim weather especially in open air pools.....cheers
swim coach,lifeguard,pool maintainance at riara group of schoolsigona golf club/impala health club/ymca aquatics/isk sch
breathing goes with rotation,streamline and flotation,let them float
then turn for breath and return to streamline,others now follow,ie
kicking and pulling.
Technical Marketing / Training at Bali Aquatic Safety Services
I like a lot of what Merv states here....core body position/float/ breathing/propulsion... .
Now I was originally assuming this question was dealing with swimmers
who have already attained an established freestyle stroke & or
competition level! If in early development stages I personally would
place emphasis on body float position/breathing in developing relaxed
swimming = I was going to say 'comfortability' in the water &
technique! Younger swimmers; yes KIS....s (small stupid!) AND make it
fun with drills that develop all of above... love making kids 'scull' in
all sorts of body positions and encourage experimentation with
increasing distance & or resistance + I also join them! I wish I had
read TI many many years back as it was as if a light bulb went on in my
head and in many ways I "feel" I am a better, more efficient swimmer
now than I ever was....AND "feel" is very important....Every child can
be so very different and as a coach/instructor/motivator we need to
recognize this, providing support, challenge and positive reinforcement
on a regular basis! I had an Olympic Coach who couldn't do any of this,
thankfully those days are gone and I learned / swore I would never be
like that with any of my swimmers! I enjoy reading all your comments -
thanks for sharing as I am certain we can all still learn from each
others successes & failures.....Water is my second home and in many
ways I wish I had realized that; it would be like this for my whole
life, a long long time ago....swim for life.....
We naturally want to pull our heads out of the water (it makes absolute sense) so not rotating leads to a large number of problems, pushing down with the arms, snatching at the catch, poor timing of breathing to name just a few.
That being said the thing that usually has the most negative affect on balance and body position is breathing (and if you can't breathe you're not getting very far either) in my opinion the majority of stroke errors stem from poor breathing habits
So which comes first the chicken (body position) or the egg (breathing)
I would suggest that all of these positional posts were fundamentally to do with breathing.
I get swimmers to swim on their sides with heir arms by their sides (normally with short fins) kicking only in a neutral position turning to breathe, trying to keep the upper facing arm out of the water all the way down to the wrist. Initially swimmers change sides by length and then after every breath. Swimmers shouldn't move their heads when they move their bodies nor their bodies when they move their heads, isolating the rotational element and ensuring (hopefully) they keep to a straight line.
Initially swimmers will often over rotate to breathe, I'm not too worried about that, the aim is to maintain a straight body with no twists or head lifting. They will slowly gain confidence and rotate less.
If a swimmer feels water moving up the arm then they have normally lifted their head. If they go off line they have either twisted, kicked from the knee or their head isn't in a neutral position.
I was asked what I do to practice breathing in FS and this is fundamentally it - although as has been pointed out with the posts, reducing swimming to one element is very difficult. Taking video underwater often helps the swimmers see exactly where they are introducing faults.
Cheers
Wendy Dalton, Owner, Dalton Training: "streamlined body position..." for hes simplicity. Have a nice day
Next you have to teach them to breath....
I remember in 1972, I was a student teacher in our HS Learn to Swim program, I was assigned the challenging station1. Getting the kids from the deck into the water and ready for station 2. It was a great challenge.... but I really wanted to work in station 8, butterfly...
Swimming is a Life Sport, we are here for the kids.
Last week, this week, they all run together for me at this time... (I love the water.).. I had a 13yo, 8th grader tell me he wanted to make the hs team next year. He can swim, but not well and not straight. So we discussed some of his school efforts, we talked about a math test. So I suggested he become a like his favorite #2 pencil, and relax, and swim straight.
His results in two weeks are substantial, and he is enjoying the water. Will he be a champion swimmer? He is a champion in my eyes already, he as a passion for the swim.
Its all about the swim. Heading to -8 tonite here in Chicago. De reir a cheile a thogtar na caisleain....will see you again soon.
Tony Pearce.
Tony Pearce.
Now I was originally assuming this question was dealing with swimmers who have already attained an established freestyle stroke & or competition level! If in early development stages I personally would place emphasis on body float position/breathing in developing relaxed swimming = I was going to say 'comfortability' in the water & technique! Younger swimmers; yes KIS....s (small stupid!) AND make it fun with drills that develop all of above... love making kids 'scull' in all sorts of body positions and encourage experimentation with increasing distance & or resistance + I also join them! I wish I had read TI many many years back as it was as if a light bulb went on in my head and in many ways I "feel" I am a better, more efficient swimmer now than I ever was....AND "feel" is very important....Every child can be so very different and as a coach/instructor/motivator we need to recognize this, providing support, challenge and positive reinforcement on a regular basis! I had an Olympic Coach who couldn't do any of this, thankfully those days are gone and I learned / swore I would never be like that with any of my swimmers! I enjoy reading all your comments - thanks for sharing as I am certain we can all still learn from each others successes & failures.....Water is my second home and in many ways I wish I had realized that; it would be like this for my whole life, a long long time ago....swim for life.....