Get the book Total Immersion. It's exactly what you need right now. There is also a DVD so you can see what they're describing. I found a used copy of the book on Amazon last year for eight bucks. Well worth it.


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Running To My Future
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Another vote for [url=www.totalimmersion.net]Total Immersion!

If you're on a tight budget, you might even be able to find the book and dvd at your local library. Also, check out the video clips on the link above. Especially the one on "hand position and balance" and "using your head..."

One key component in freestyle not yet mentioned is body rotation. Imagine there's a skewer running from one end of the pool to the other, and going in through the crown of your head (which should be kept down) and along your spine. As you stroke, your body rotates side-to-side -- i.e. as you stroke with your right arm, you rotate onto your left side and visa versa. The T.I. drills break this all down for you beautifully. When swimming, you may not rotate a full 90 degrees onto your side, but you'll find you're able to tap into the power of your core and hips as you learn to connect this rotation to your stroke.

This site has video.

http://www.goswim.tv/home.php[/URL" target="_blank">

IMO, you'd really be better off spending a bit of money on lessons rather than buying videos or books. You can get some info on the internet or buy books/videos once your technique is at a certain level but at this point I think private lessons would be much more beneficial.

I think once a week lessons and at least 4-5 times a week of practice in the beginning (not long, but drills) so that you can get the most out of each lesson.

quote:<HR>Originally posted by triandstopme:
One key component in freestyle not yet mentioned is body rotation. Imagine there's a skewer running from one end of the pool to the other, and going in through the crown of your head (which should be kept down) and along your spine. As you stroke, your body rotates side-to-side -- i.e. as you stroke with your right arm, you rotate onto your left side and visa versa. The T.I. drills break this all down for you beautifully. When swimming, you may not rotate a full 90 degrees onto your side, but you'll find you're able to tap into the power of your core and hips as you learn to connect this rotation to your stroke. <HR>

Me thinks TriAndStopMe should write her OWN swim book.

Very well said.

Good videos at TI, too.