swim critique

I finally got my swim video taped so I could send it off to my coach.
My elbow is low and it's actually entering the water before my hand, so I'm losing all that pull.
He also wants me to switch up my breathing.  I'm pretty excited about what he had to say, and I'm looking forward to implementing it tomorrow. 

I was expecting to get disected when he saw my stroke.  He was pretty complimentary, which totally surprised me, because I thought I was horrendous.

My biggest complaine was that I always felt like I was out of breath.  He wants me to try breathing every 2nd stroke instead of the 4 I had been doing.  Then we will work on bilateral breathing. 

So instead of going to the pool with the feeling of dread, I'm tackling tomorrow with some new optimism.

If anyone else wants to throw in their .02 about what they do for their distance swimming please jump in.

Scott

Hey Scott.

As you probably know, I don't swim a whole lot.  Some of the advice that I got last spring that really helped me out was exhaling through my stroke (which I didn't know I was supposed to do) and starting out breathing every 2 strokes.  I don't run out of breath like I used to either, which made it easier for me to get my swims in.  I can also swim farther now because of that  Another thing is I'm not fast enough to breathe every 4, and have neck issues that prevent me from breathing every 3.

Good for you getting taped, and have fun with the improvement!

Linn

 I never learned to swim with my head down in the water so it's all new to me.  I know with practice I'll get better but there are going to be some growing pains involved.  It's all so very technical.

Duane

Hey Bro,

     I breathe every 2 strokes. I find that if I go every 3 strokes, my breathing is not as solid, so thats what works for me. If I have to breathe every 3 I can, but I def prefer 2. After you get the elbows dialed in, work alot on pulling with paddles and a buoy and you will be amazed at how much faster / stronger you will be! Great news and good luck at the pool today!

i'm an every two strokes kinda guy as well, this goes all the way back to high school and before when i used to swim competitively.  my biggest problem has always been the kick, i'm not brave enough to tape and send my swimming out for critique :)