Back to Basics: Why do Drills?
Going back to basics is always a good idea in swimming! When we can move well in the water we have more choices about how far and fast we swim.
Swim drills as part of our swim practices can be an essential way to reconnect with the water after a hiatus and to explore the patterns impacting how we move through the water.
With all drills and water movement, it is vital to develop effective mind to muscle connection. The water is unforgiving towards inefficient movement and generously rewarding towards the levers enacting meaningful connectivity.
Subscribe to the Crossing Currents YouTube channel to practice improvement together!
Focus Points to Explore during Freestyle Drills:
Head Position Questions to ask?
Where am I looking? Could I balance something atop my head when I’m not breathing? Do I feel taller with this head position?
Posture Questions to ask?
Am I actively engaging my core? Am I using that core engagement as my basis for all other movement? Can I feel a lengthening of my spine through the top of my head?
Flutter Kick Questions to ask?
Can I control how often and when I kick? Do I feel that I’m moving the water in (2) directions by applying pressure with different surfaces ‘up’ and ‘down’? When I’m down pressing my kick, where can I use that lever to enact propulsive force?
Pulling & Recovery Paths Questions to ask?
What is leading my movement path? What are the coupling activities occurring during my stroke? For example, when I’m actively pulling on my left side what am I actively doing on my right side?
Breath Timing Questions to ask?
Am I ready for a quick breath by exhaling sufficiently in preparedness? Am I maintaining a low-profile while breathing and aiming for the ‘split goggle’ effect?
High Elbow Catch Questions to ask?
Have I become consumed with this topic that I’ve forgotten the importance of a an accelerating finish allowing me to recover with momentum? No? Good :)
Drills, descriptions and links:
Freestyle Holding Board: No Snorkel
This freestyle drill is a great way to learn freestyle swim mechanics for the 1st time and to refine them for improved performance, both! We like holding a smaller sized kick board in a handshake position for best body positioning in the water. Although we return to 'flat’ each time, be sure to feel the quality of pulling yourself off of flat with each arm cycle — even when not turning to breathe.
