So..I had my technique filmed & analysed......

[Peet]

• I was 150% sure my arms were straight on entry - WRONG
  
• I was 150% sure that my pull on my left arm wasn't so good - UNDERSTATEMENT
  
• I was sure my right pull was ok but not great - WRONG - it's crap too (not as bad as my left though)
  
• I knew my kick wasn't great - ALSO TRUE!

I asked what percentage of pull I wasted on my left arm. The response was "by looking at you swim, I'd say about 90%!"

We filmed, swam, filmed swam. I couldn't believe how much my arms crossed over the centre line, I was so sure they were straight (video tells me otherwise). My legs were everywhere and I also have a pause in my kick.

I think we both agreed that we didn't know how I was swimming as fast as I was considering the above. Then again, it's not bad bad, I'm a decent swimmer but when it comes to the finer points of technique (errrrmmm...like the pull)..I am obviously crap. (think he was trying to make me feel better).

Looking good some PB's next year if I can get it sorted though ...although I have a lot of drill work to do between now and then.....

Anyone else watched videos and been shocked at how much they do wrong?...

.

[MadHighroller]

Hi Peet,

Where did you get this done ? Is it extortionate ? Do you know what you have to do from now on.... ??

[Peet]

Originally Posted by MadHighroller

Where did you get this done ? Is it extortionate ? Do you know what you have to do from now on.... ??

The details can be found here: http://http://swimtechnique.co.uk/Marc-Spackman3.php

It was £50 for the hour (you can do half hour sessions), the swimming was filmed on a mobile phone (big clear screen) from both sides and from the front. Marc picked up really quickly what the issues were.

It was more a 1:1 session - film, watch, try to change and repeat until you got it right. He told me which drills to do (some I was already doing but didn't know why until he explained it). So I need to continue some of the old drills and do the new drills as well. Once you know how it feels to do it properly and what to look for then it is easier to pick yourself up when you are doing it wrong.

I'm really glad I went but in a way slightly annoyed - I joined a new swim club about 2 months ago and not once has any coach mentioned I cross my arms over - and no way they could have missed it.

Anyway, I'm taking away positives and I definitely think a 1:1 session like this is well worthwhile.

P.

[NotVeryFast]

Originally Posted by Peet

I'm really glad I went but in a way slightly annoyed - I joined a new swim club about 2 months ago and not once has any coach mentioned I cross my arms over - and no way they could have missed it.

Many people don't appreciate the difference between a coach and a teacher. I was trying to explain this to someone on another forum who posted a video showing their truly awful technique. I told them they need a teacher not a coach. Did they listen? No, they went off to some coached training session somewhere where they will probably have exactly the same experience as you.

[Peet]

Originally Posted by NotVeryFast

Many people don't appreciate the difference between a coach and a teacher.

So very true and there is a massive difference.