17/01/2022
I was asked the other day about some "NEW YEAR'S SWIMMING RESOLUTIONS" - some practical ideas they could incorporate into their swimming training this year.
Here's my top five:
1. Keep it simple.
Forget all that rubbish about "hand pitch angles" and "must have a 90 degree bend at the elbow etc etc."
Every swimmer is different - every stroke is different.
Don't get obsessed or paralyzed by trying to swim "perfectly"
THERE IS NO PERFECT STROKE - there's just what works for you.
2. Think BIG PRINCIPLES not LITTLE DETAILS.
a. Hands soft - you can't feel anything if your hands are tight and tense.
b. Feet loose and relaxed. Don't forcibly point your toes.
c. Breathe deeply and relaxed - particularly focused on the exhale - blow big bubbles and don't hold your breath. Breath holding leads to tension - and tension is the enemy.
d. Always be aware of the relationship between your head and hips - i.e. head high = hips low = inefficient.
Work on these big principles then fine tune the details over time.
3. RELAX RELAX RELAX
Tension is the enemy of performance.
The faster you want to move the more relaxed you need to be. Focus on relaxation through your breathing and by swimming with rhythm.
4. SWIM LIKE YOU - NOT LIKE ANYONE ELSE.
Don't try to swim like the best swimmer in your team or like Katie Ledecky or the guy who won the last Hawaii Ironman.
Swim like you - then work on becoming more efficient within your own style over time.
5. HAVE FUN IN WATER
Go to the pool or beach or river and "PLAY" - do dolphin dives, chase your friends, play in pool-volleyball etc - JUST HAVE FUN in and around the water.
Why do we do a lot of games and have fun singing with little kids in Learn to Swim classes?
To teach them that water is fun, water is great, how to relax in the water etc.
This is one reason why adult swimmers and triathletes without a learn to swim background really struggle in the water - they were never taught to relax and have fun.
I promise you that learning to have FUN in the water and relaxing when you swim will help you improve faster than buying and wearing over-size hand paddles, wearing the latest technology or living on protein bars.
Have a swimmingly great 2022.