Category Archives: Swimming Tips

Hamden North Haven Swim Team – Basic Finger Drag Drill

Posted on by
Reply

The following video is a good example of how we (the Hamden North Haven YMCA Typhoons) start to learn the freestyle catch up drill.  The swimmer demonstrates an excellent streamline position which is something that we stress.  However, things to remember that this swimmer has a difficult time doing:

  • Rolling to and through the other hand; your hands should meet in that streamline position, but your body should not stop rolling at that point.  The body should continue to roll until your recovery hand passes over top of the next pulling hand.  Remember that the easiest and most efficient way to complete this drill is by rolling from one axis to the next!  There are a lot of swimmers in Connecticut (and all around the U.S.) that have a hard time remember to fully rotate.
  • The kick should be a non-stop motor throughout this drill.  At this demonstration speed, there should be 6 kicks on one axis, 6 kicks during the roll from one axis to the next, and 6 kicks on the next axis (and repeat).  This particular swimmer, unfortunately, does not remember to keep the kick consistant and doesn’t get the most out of the drill that he can.

Overall, though, this is a great way for our Hamden North Haven Swim Team kids to really get to know the Catch Up Drill!

For more information on Typhoon Swimming, please feel free to contact us at any point!

Age of Competition

Posted on by
Reply

Like a lot of people out there, I do a lot of research on the internet.  While doing research on swimming, and finding out about new and upcoming drills, techniques, etc I stumble on various social networking websites.  You are able to become a member of these websites and post topics or reply to posted topics.  I have become very active in several of these swimming forums like swimmingforums.com.  So, from time to time I will bring up different forum posts that I have either started or replied to if it applies to our Hamden North Haven YMCA Swim Team.

This past week (about two days ago) I replied to a post regarding the starting age for a competitive swimmer.  There were several answers ranging from 6 years old to 12 years old.  I replied by saying that the “age of competition” greatly depends on the individual.  It cannot and should not be generalized to the point that us (as coaches) say an 8 year old should be “swimming competitively”.  For me, I believe that competitive behavior is learned over time and will come with a passion for the sport.  Without that passion and love for the sport there will not be a desire to compete. 

I went on to emphasize that it is our job (as coaches) to promote the love of swimming, but teach at the same time.  We need to categorize swimmers not by competitive, non-competitive, and/or semi-competitive.  However, we need to separate swimmers based on ability levels and age groups so that swimmers can swim with equal ability levels as well as with their peers!

If you have any thoughts on this subject I would love to hear your comments!  Until then…happy swimming!

Hamden North Haven YMCA Swim Team – To Do List

Posted on by
Reply

There was a recent post on Mat Leubber’s blog with regard to 10 things that you can do in order to improve your swimming.  If you look at all 10, we have doen 9 of them throughout this past summer season, and look to add the 10th (swimming occassionally with fins) during the Short Course Season.  So, Hamden North Haven YMCA Typhoons (and other swimmers out there), here is the list:

  • Do swim frequently
  • Do swim with good technique
  • Do drills as part of every swimming workout
  • Do challenging workouts
  • Do easy workouts
  • Do streamlines
  • Do leave the wall the same way every time
  • Do wear a swimsuit made for competitive swimming
  • Do ask someone to watch you swim
  • Do use flippers occasionally

    • Just a quick “thank you” to Mat Luebbers for writing this!  As a quick reminder for our Hamden North Haven Swim Team, our swim clinic ends Friday this week and our regular swim team practices start next week.  Keep up the good work!

    Hamden North Haven Swim Team – Six Beat Switch

    Posted on by
    Reply

    Swimming freestyle properly comes with swimming numerous freestyle drills over and over again.  The six beat switch is on of those drills that the Hamden North Haven YMCA Swim Team (Typhoon Swimming) use to work on proper technique.  In the following video, you’ll notice that the swimmer is going extremely slow.  The Hamden North Haven Swim Team has a bit faster tempo throughout the drill.  A few things to notice:

    • The swimmer does not stop her kicking throughout the drill; continuous kicks as she switches from one axis to the next and resuming the drill
    • Leg positions are long, pointed, and kicking from the hip for almost every kick she does
    • Arm position during recovery is nice and high with a nice extension after entering the water
    • The head goes back in the water after the breath is taken, and a breath is taken during every pull

     

    Again, yet another video that is a great resource for our Hamden North Haven YMCA Typhoons!  For more videos please visit our freestyle page!

    As a quick FYI, the Typhoons will be holding Short Course Registration throughout this week (the final week of clinic), and regular practices will start next week (September 29, 2008).  If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please feel free to contact us at any point!  We absolutely stress proper technique throughout our swim team practices for the Hamden North Haven YMCA!  So, come learn how to swim properly and with a great attitude!

    Hamden North Haven Swim Team – Basic Catch Up Drill

    Posted on by
    Reply

    The following video is a good example of how we (the Hamden North Haven YMCA Typhoons) start to learn the freestyle catch up drill. The swimmer demonstrates an excellent streamline position which is something that we stress. However, things to remember that this swimmer has a difficult time doing:

    • Rolling to and through the other hand; your hands should meet in that streamline position, but your body should not stop rolling at that point. The body should continue to roll until your recovery hand passes over top of the next pulling hand. Remember that the easiest and most efficient way to complete this drill is by rolling from one axis to the next! There are a lot of swimmers in Connecticut (and all around the U.S.) that have a hard time remember to fully rotate.
    • The kick should be a non-stop motor throughout this drill. At this demonstration speed, there should be 6 kicks on one axis, 6 kicks during the roll from one axis to the next, and 6 kicks on the next axis (and repeat). This particular swimmer, unfortunately, does not remember to keep the kick consistant and doesn’t get the most out of the drill that he can.

    Overall, though, this is a great way for our Hamden North Haven Swim Team kids to really get to know the Catch Up Drill!

    For more information on Typhoon Swimming, please feel free to contact us at any point!

    Hamden North Haven Swim Team – Finger Drag Drill

    Posted on by
    Reply

    This is a great demonstration video of the finger drag drill that the Hamden North Haven Swim Team (the YMCA Typhoons).  It stresses proper shoulder rotation during recovery as well as proper elbow position to relieve un-needed stress on the shoulder.  Again, this is a great drill for swimmers looking for proper freestyle technique!

    Hamden North Haven Swim Team – Roll Over Drill

    Posted on by
    1

    This is world-class swimmer Alex Popov swimming his rollover drill.  You’ll notice that it’s almost the same drill as the finger drag with a slight variation.  As you watch, you’ll notice how high he gets his elbows, how much rotation his body has as he switches from one axis to the next.  Absolutley a great video to for our Hamden North Haven Swim Team to watch!  I hope you enjoy the video!