Anchoring vs pulling (swimming)

[Q.]

Conf: Freestyle From: Terry Laughlin (totalswimm@aol.com) Date: Saturday, January 20, 2007 08:38 AM On 1/19/2007 2:36:44 PM, Richard Skerrett wrote:
>So where is the propulsion
>actually coming from when you
>swim like this,

I give great attention to establishing traction with the lead hand, then "catapult" or "vault" past it with a dynamic weight shift, which is triggered by the spearing hand. It uses the same physics as pushing-water-back propulsion but uses the muscles of the pulling arm differently -- to maintain the arm-lever in a strong position, rather than accelerating the arm back. Whenb done well, that leads to both improved traction and reduced fatigue.

Pushing water back tends to dis-connect the arm from the core because one can accelerate the arm faster than one can move the core. "Holding your place" reinforces connection of arm to core.

I find that I get an impression of far more power brought to bear -- it feels like it runs through my whole body almost like an electric charge -- while doing remarkably little "work."

Swimming "with my body" feels nothing like the way the "work" of swimming felt in college when I was an "arms-and-legs" swimmer.

[Q.]

Sorry... I couldn't get "in front of" the beginning of that post to add my comments so here we go. This concept of anchoring and swimming past your arm is fascinating to me but I really don't get it yet. Anybody experienced this? ODB? It seems central to the efficiency of the TI method but it's something someone would have to show me 'cause I ain't doing it. Is this taught elsewhere, too?

[ODB]

I think I know what he's taking about. I've exprienced this before. Kind of a visualization thing while swimming when my lead arm hits the water it's like I've grabbed a ledge and am pulling myself up. It is a very powerful feeling and I find myself moving faster.

[Q.]

Originally Posted by ODB

I think I know what he's taking about. I've exprienced this before. Kind of a visualization thing while swimming when my lead arm hits the water it's like I've grabbed a ledge and am pulling myself up. It is a very powerful feeling and I find myself moving faster.

How do you learn it? Does it just come with more experience? I want it!

[ODB]

Just kind of something I picked up. Concentrate on your stroke being more than just a pull. Pay attention next time you are in the water. I wish I could give you a drill for it but I don't have one.

[Jimbo]

I never got the "ZEN" effortless running thing either. I mean..I became more efficient and expended less effort. But I'm not sure I ever reacher nervana running.

Maybe I'll be a ZEN swimmer! :p

[Ruslan Kedik]

Competitive swimmer posses a skill that they call in the swimming world a "feel the water" skill. It is a gift that most swimmers are born with as those that have a gift for music or dance. It’s easy to spot those swimmers that posses this skill and those that don’t. Those that do have the ability to pull their body through the water, rather than just spinning their arms.

What they're talking about here is that same skill. Overtime, with practice you can develop this as well. It's hard to describe in words what this actually feels like when you're in the water.

Sculling techniques are great for this type of thing.

Also if you have good control and body awearness in the water here is an advanced drill for you to try.

3 sculls 1 pull.
Stretch out your pulling arm in front and the opposite arm in a recovery position. Recovery position may be above water or by your side as you finish each stroke. With your leading hand perform 3 sculls and then pull your body through the water and switch to the other side. Don't forget to keep your kick going. If you're kick is weak, use a pull buoy. Remember to get your lats involved into your pulls.

[Jimbo]

Originally Posted by Ruslan Kedik

3 sculls 1 pull.
Stretch out your pulling arm in front and the opposite arm in a recovery position. Recovery position may be above water or by your side as you finish each stroke. With your leading hand perform 3 sculls and then pull your body through the water and switch to the other side. Don't forget to keep your kick going. If you're kick is weak, use a pull buoy. Remember to get your lats involved into your pulls.

What's a scull? (I'm worse than you thought huh?)

[Ruslan Kedik]

Originally Posted by Jimbo

What's a scull? (I'm worse than you thought huh?)

Hey Jimbo, very simple.

A scull is all about awakening your hands in the water and getting a feel for what it's like to have constant pressure on your hands while moving.

There are a few different variations of sculling drills that can be used to help you improve your technique. Lets think Freestyle for now. Before the initiation of each pull, if you don't have a good "grip" on the water, you're hand-arm is just going to slip through without propelling you to far forward. What a front scull may teach you is how to get a good grip on the water for the initiation of each stroke. Same applies to your mid and back (push) portion of your stroke.

Take a look at water polo players for example; they're always sculling especially the goalies. Synchronized swimmers are good at what they do because of their ability to feel the pressure of the water around their hands and the rest of their body. This is why they're able to intricate those artistic moves in water as if they’re done on land.

When you can turn everything on Auto Pilot and race, or simply enjoy your swim without any though of mechanically performing all your learned skills in the water, you can call yourself a swimmer. How do we get there you ask?

My top 3 tips for those that are looking to improve their swimming are:
Relaxation
Feel for the water
Efficiency

All three of these things should be worked on every time you're in the water.

Sculling would fall right under the efficiency category.

Would u like me to get more into the actual sculling drills that I would start off with?

[Jimbo]

Originally Posted by Ruslan Kedik

Would u like me to get more into the actual sculling drills that I would start off with?

If the 3 sculls 1 pull is not the best starting point..absolutley..do tell.

Otherwise, I will try the 3-1 thing. I did a web search on sculling and, if I understand correctly, it would appear you sculling hand remains in the water flipping through kind of an 8 pattern. I assume the sculling stroke is shorter/faster than a normal stroke.

Does this exhaust you quicker than a normal swimming pattern?