The Good
Chloe has a fairly good swim stroke especially with her tempo and is comfortable in the water and her stroke is fairly well balanced. On saying this, there is room for improvement, lots of room which is very true for all the kids in Rina,s group. Like most of the kids she needs to work on a good foundation and technique changes while she is a younger athlete and id she is able to do more easy klm’s in the pool that gives her time to slow down and work on the technique fundamentals needed to excel.
Issues & Technique fundamentals are outlined below.
Note: We will put some videos on the website over the next week on drills and explanations of how the drills work as it will also be good for understanding the How’s and the Why’s
*Chloe can do lots of Pull Bouy swimming to get use to keeping the legs together and the position for the hips to rotate and control them with purpose on each stroke in the water
* Hip rotation timing with Chloe’s hand entry – causing zig zagging
Chloe needs to use his hips more when swimming, getting use to a dynamic rotation movement with each stroke, the hip needs to move in the same timing with the hand hitting the water at the front of the stroke. No sooner, no later.
Drill1 – 3 Stroke Side kick – 3 fast strokes followed by kick on the side for 6 to 10 kicks with leading arm out front and one arm by side kicking and alternating each side of course
Drill 2 – kick hip drops with kick board – Kick board kicking with flippers dropping the hip every 10 to kicks or so (kick 10 kicks, drop right hip towards the bottom of the pool, 10 kicks left hip towards the bottom of the pool, keep legs together and kicking the whole drill.
Drill 3 – Hip Emphasis –Â Exaggerate Hip movement for 25m/25m relaxed
* Stabilizing the shoulders – removing shoulder drop through the placement and pull phase of stroke
Chloe needs to keep shoulders high and level to the surface of the water while going through the catch phase rather than rotating them under the surface , in the leading arrow arm through the touching the water and pull phase the shoulders must be settled, less movement on a side to side point of view and more extension and reach for the pull phase, keep the elbow high on the catch phase in the water as well.
Drill 1 – Speed Catch Up –Â Catch up without the delay , take a stroke when your recovery arm/hand gets out in front with the leading arm concentrating on keeping shoulders higher in the water and making sure you are not rushing and working on good stroke length at the front as well
Drill 2 – kick with no board – Flippers can be used – Arms out in front sculling, keeping shoulders high eg; 25kick NB / 25 Swim
* Breathing Bilateral – Chloe’s bilateral breathing is good , This will create more balance in her swim stroke as she progresses, delay her breathing for 1 second to 2 seconds when she breathes will change her timing and allow here to have a longer stroke at the front
Technique is so crucial in swimming as you can imagine, the water is a completely different environment, working on drills and slowing down to feel the water is crucial. Chloe can do lots of pull bouy swimming with band around ankles, also some with paddles added for strength development.
Any questions do not hesitate to contact us, Thank you
Chip & Rina