Thanks Brent. Great feedback. Much appreciated. I will work on all those aspects of my stroke and try to get it dialed in a lot better before IMC this summer.
Great teaching. Particularly that first half of the video, which was crystal clear in terms of feedback for us to focus on. I really like the way you focus on what we should do well, rather than the problems/things to avoid.
I like contrast drills. When you change one thing and start doing it correctly think about how you were doing it before and deliberately do the bad technique. You quickly get a better feel for the new correct way and resist doing it the wrong way.
You are really good with your analysis. Simple stuff which you explain really well. Your videos has helped me to improve my freestyle technique. Can you also do one for butterfly and breaststroke basics please
I know it was one of your videos, but can't remember which one. You were talking about getting the full extension of your arms when swimming, and I think you incorporated that into a kicking drill. I have been using that in my kicking laps, which I do a lot of because my kick is so weak. I have figured out that you can not get that full extension without engaging your core. If your core is not totally engaged, that contributes to sinking legs. "Suck in your gut like you are trying to put your belly button on your spine." I do kick laps in superman position, 6 beat kick pattern, and make sure to do full extension with body rotation. Really has helped get this to the point where I don't really have to think about it for it to happen.
I've never thought about how even a slight wrist drop would actually throw the water out rather than "catching and holding it towards the forearm"... I think I'm often guilty of this... going to try and correct it next swim.
Love the videos! One rookie question about "fingers below wrist" at start of catch (seen it in a bunch of your earlier videos). Where does the bend happen to ensure this? Bending fingers themselves (i.e., middle of fingers), at the knuckles (i.e., keeping fingers & wrist straight ish), and/or at the wrist (i.e., keeping knuckles and fingers straight)
It's better to think of it as "elbow above wrist, wrist above fingers" because elbow is more important. If you can get high elbow then good wrist position is much easier. To try it just extend your arm in front of you with the palm facing down when you stand or sit upright. You'll be able to see the internal part of your elbow. Then rotate your elbow internally - to see the other side of it - but keep the palm of your hand facing down. Your elbow should go up a bit and your hand should go down a bit. At least that's what I see. That's what you should do when you start the catch phase. Easier said than done. I can do that while doing drills but during swimming it's a completely different thing...
