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Print this entrySwimming Question of the Week - July 1, 2008
What do you WATCH when you watch Olympic Trials?
Responses
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Stroke technique. With the great underwater shots, you can see how the best execute each stroke. The things I look for in the long axis strokes are horizontal body position, body rotation from side to side, catching the water with an early vertical forearm and a down kick on the pulling/pushing side early in the arm cycle to augment body rotation power. In the short axis strokes, I look for small amplitue in the body undulation, butt near the surface on forward lunge, streamlining after lunge forward (not downward) and correct kick timing which in breast is after the head is down between the arms in a streamlined position and in fly upon hand entry and exit. In fly, chin close to surface when breathing (or breathe to side to lower amount of body rise), breath taken later in arm cycle so body is propelled forward not up and near the surface arm recovery. In breast, pointed toes at end of kick and weight shift forward after kick. |
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The diversity of the stroke technique, yet all are in the finals of the US Olympic Trials! I think that this is great to point out to my swimmers that good technique is a prerequisite, but you can each have your own style within those boundaries. Power, efficiency and determination. |
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FIRST I watch the race for the sheer thrill of the fast swimming!
SECOND time around I try to analyze what has happened with the technique and the race strategy. Find a few specific points to throw into the mix of the next day's swim practices I coach. I love Paul's comments above which encourage his swimmers to have their own style. This is exactly how we have made progress in the strokes and gotten faster.
And thank goodness for the instant recording technology - and my room mate's TiVo!
Can not wait for the 100 back and 200 free tonight - my 2 favorite events! GO USA! |
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1. I like to watch the race strategy of the person in lane 4. Its very interesting to see how the strategies vary, and what they do to make sure they win their heat in prelims.
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I look down in my lap to watch my three-week old daughter flailing her legs and arms about and wonder if she'll grow up to love swimming. |
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I watch how my friends are doing and cheer them on although it is on tape. Later I watch what they've done wrong and right, stroke count, stroke frequency, turns, starts, technique... |
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The underwater dolphin kick of backstroke events. I am still amazed to see who can flirt with that different color ring on the lane lines, getting every last inch out of their underwater allotment. |
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My favorite part about the trials are the surprise first and second place finishers. World records are awesome, but nothing beats people breaking through to the next level and then watching their reactions right after the race is over. Scott Spann and Gil Stovall were the two that stuck out to me the most at trials. If you have trials recorded, go back and watch carefully their reactions after the race. Amazing. |
Bob Hopkins
sprinter
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