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Click to view Yoshiko007's profile Legend 421 posts since
Nov 16, 2003

Jun 13, 2007 12:26 AM

Weakness in swim technique

I noticed, from the last week's race results, the gain I get from wearing a wetsuit is much smaller than the gain many of the swimmers I swim with (or swim in the next slower lane - they beat me!) get. What does this tell you about weakness in my technique? My take is, my balance/kick is good (relatively speaking) but my catch/pull is poor. So the guys who may have sinking legs or don't kick well but powerful catch/pull win big with a help of a wetsuit. Does this sound right?
Assuming the above is right, what drills can I do to improve this weakness? I do pull sets w/ and w/o paddles, while paying attention to high elbows. What else can help?
Click to view Caffeinated's profile Legend 234 posts since
Aug 16, 2007
1. Jun 13, 2007 9:41 AM in response to: Yoshiko007
Well I'm no expert, but I'm not going to let that stop me from giving advice!

There is a little hour-glass shaped bouy that goes between the legs when you swim. I don't know how well it simulates the float a wetsuit gives you, but it keeps your rear up in the water. If your pool has one, you should try it.

Also if you want to get stronger, try the lat pull-down machine at the gym or pull-ups at home.

Steve
Click to view BethR042's profile Legend 390 posts since
Jul 17, 2001
2. Jun 13, 2007 10:02 AM in response to: Yoshiko007
I think it's the other way around - worse swimmers notice the most improvement with wetsuits. Right?

But, if you feel like your stroke is weak, maybe it's not so much technique but strength. Have you tried upper body weights? There's one in particular my training partner recommended to me that I think helps
straight arm pull downs[/URL" target="_blank">
Click to view mbannon's profile Legend 1,814 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
3. Jun 13, 2007 10:10 AM in response to: Yoshiko007
Or you could just do a bunch more hard swimming, like sprint ladder sets. Do that for a couple weeks and you should start to notice your arms getting stronger.


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Click to view dragonsrouges's profile Legend 1,068 posts since
Aug 16, 2007
4. Jun 13, 2007 3:11 PM in response to: Yoshiko007
Yeah, I think the better your technique, the less the wetsuit will help... so maybe it`s just a conditioning issue...
Click to view imfl03's profile Pro 76 posts since
Nov 4, 2007
5. Jun 13, 2007 7:35 PM in response to: Yoshiko007
This question isloaded with possible anwsers, but without seeing you swim, it's not really possible to get a real answer.

It may be as simple as turn over rate.or may be as complex as your pull is weak or bad form. We all know you are pretty fast so I don't think it's a bad form thing. You may have a weaker pull, but I doubt it too.

My first thought was that you as having flexibility issues and the suit is robbing your power by making it harder to pull.

S
Click to view Linda Patch's profile Legend 254 posts since
Sep 26, 2007
6. Jun 13, 2007 8:12 PM in response to: Yoshiko007
quote:<HR>Originally posted by marathonrnr262:
This question isloaded with possible anwsers, but without seeing you swim, it's not really possible to get a real answer.

It may be as simple as turn over rate.or may be as complex as your pull is weak or bad form. We all know you are pretty fast so I don't think it's a bad form thing. You may have a weaker pull, but I doubt it too.

My first thought was that you as having flexibility issues and the suit is robbing your power by making it harder to pull.

S
<HR>



This is exactly what I think. I think it's a constriction issue. It sure ain't technique, strength, or speed.

It's weird, though, at least three other women I swim with who are faster than me actually slow down with pull buoys. They get very frustrated. I fly by them when I use one. That's a body position thing. The buoyancy throws them off while it helps me a ton. I have no explanation for this.
Click to view SpartyGirl's profile Legend 537 posts since
Oct 29, 2007
7. Jun 13, 2007 8:55 PM in response to: Yoshiko007
Yoshiko, going out a limb here since my swim background is only 6 months old--but...I would say it's a strength of pull issue as opposed to constriction, then again I have the inside information that you swim in a sleeveless wetsuit to reduce constriction. I like Bannon's suggestion of hard sprint ladders---think I'll try it!