The Best of the TI Discussion Forum

This is a classic example of the value of the collective wisdom and “lay expertise” on the TI Discussion Forum. Suzy Shain was frustrated at slow progress after a Workshop. When she summarized the challenges she faced, she received guidance on general learning principles from others who had overcome similar challenges previously, then specific drill tips for progressing from single to multiple switches.

Topic: Still Struggling Post Workshop
Conf: Freestyle
From: Anonymous
Date: Tuesday, June 12, 2007 10:32 PM

I am a non-swimmer who hopes to become a comfortable, proficient swimmer. I nearly drowned many years ago.

I attended a TI Workshop this weekend after having practiced using the Freestyle Made Easy DVD for a couple of months. I was hoping to be able to complete multiple zipper switches leading into a stroke by the end of the workshop. That did not happen for me and I am wondering others experiences. Were you able to complete all of the drills? And feel good about your final video?

I was able to do all of the balance drills and single under switches, but struggled with rhythm and balance when attempting multi under switches. Since every drill builds on the one before it, the skills that followed were a struggle.

We had a good coach who cued me more than any other swimmer. He said my primary issue was tucking my chin and not being able to relax. How did others get over this? How long did it take until you could do all of the drills?
I am 100% committed to the goal and think TI is the way to get there, but am curious how much one can progress without ongoing instruction from a good TI coach. I bought the drill cards and plan to use them for the second time tomorrow.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

From: Angus MacGowan
Date: Wednesday, June 13, 2007 05:23 AM

Dear Anon

As I understand it, you've made good progress on the basic drills, but it’s taking some time to move from single underswitch to multiple underswitch.

This is not unusual, as there is more going on. So don't beat yourself up about it. If you need to spend a few weeks working on nothing but underswitch drills, then do it.

However, don't fear having a go at doing some zipperswitch drills, just to see how they work for you. Maybe that will click for you. Then go back and try the underswitch drills again.

The TI drill progression's strongest quality is that it logically builds up a stroke in a progressive fashion. However, it's a set of tools to help you, not a law set in stone. By all means try a later drill and come back to an earlier drill to learn what works for you.

However, I suspect that you have already diagnosed your biggest hurdle: relaxation.

Try some multi-underswitch drills focusing 100% on a long, smooth, progressive exhalation. This will aid your relaxation and contribute surprisingly to overall smoothness.

DO NOT beat yourself up if you struggle at first. This just makes you tense. Instead, when you lose your sense of ease, stop, regroup, think about what did and didn't work, and then have another crack at it. It's important not to judge yourself. Every lap you do – even a clumsy one – is a learning experience, and in fact, you will learn as much from the clumsy laps as the good ones if you have the correct attitude.

You'll find that at some stage in a few weeks, you'll suddenly make a leap forward. Then you'll plateau. Then another leap forward. This is natural, and a positive illustration of progress.

From: Julie Friedeberger
Date: Wednesday, June 13, 2007 07:08 AM

To Angus's excellent advice I would add, please don't compare yourself with others. Progress in TI, as in learning any new skill, is an individual matter. If you work at the drills with awareness and a curious attitude, you will make progress at your own pace and learn from every lap.

Relaxation in the water is mainly the result of two things: balance (without which various muscles must work overtime to correct imbalance) and full exhalation. Never hold your breath, be always releasing the air that is in your lungs.

From: Brian Vande Krol
Date: Wednesday, June 13, 2007 10:28 AM

To Angus' and Julie's comments I'll add:

Don't worry at this point about getting from one end of the pool to the other. That pressure can make it difficult to relax. Take one stroke – or drill cycle – at a time, with a primary goal of feeling balanced, relaxed and slippery on each.

Also, the need to breathe can make it difficult to relax. Rotate to air well before you need it. That way you can make finding balance your priority as you rotate, rather than a hurried gulp of air. If you find yourself underwater after rolling, you can patiently wait to surface, rather that straining for air with your head.

From: John Carey
Date: Wednesday, June 13, 2007 12:25 PM

I’ve experienced a sort of a paradox in the TI drills – they are apparently simple, but they require a certain skill to perform each one well. In this way, it is similar to Tai Chi – they are simple moves, but you can tell the difference between someone who has been doing it three weeks versus 30 years.

After my workshop in February, I decided to work on each drill one by one (actually my body decided to do it that way), but I think it is equally valid to work on them as a sequence during each session.

I have noticed that there are "sticking points" and the reason you might be having trouble with any of them might not be obvious. I have used the approach of spending a fair amount of time on drills I can do well, and from time to time through a session work on one that I’m struggling with. Alternating between well-performed and awkwardly-performed seems to help improve the one I’m struggling with.

I think it has been mentioned before that a TI beginner takes six to 12 months, an intermediate TI swimmer another several years. So relax and enjoy the ride. The improvement may be gradual but it adds up quickly over time. For example, I can now keep up with the better non-TI swimmers at my pool (who have been swimming for a lot longer than me). A year ago, I couldn't even come close.

From: S. Shain
Date: Wednesday, June 13, 2007 05:45 PM

Thanks for all of the excellent advice. John especially hit the nail on the head with one point, I have no idea why I can't do multiple under switches. I watched the DVD again today before heading to the pool with what I thought was a clear understanding of the steps, but got there, warmed up with many other basic balance drills, did Under switch fine, but doubles to triples baffle me! If any of you remember when you first did them maybe you can tell me how you mapped them out.

One last question for today, did most of your drill until you felt proficient or did you try to lap swim with some of your new learning (e.g chin tucked, etc.) along the way?

Thanks again,
Suzy (way better than Anon!)

From: John Carey
Date: Thursday, June 14, 2007 10:11 AM

In single underswitch, you rotate from skating to sweetspot, which is greater than 90 degrees of rotation – depending on how you do it, it can be almost 180.

In a double underswitch you are rotating about 60 degrees. If you’ve been doing lots of single switches and have gotten accustomed to a great deal of rotation, you need to develop good control of rotation so you can achieve rhythm. The best way to work on that for me has been to do lots of skating laps, focusing on rotating smoothly to sweet-spot for breaths. (I am still working on it). It might also be that you are waiting too long for the second armstroke. Try some double underswitches first, aiming for a “quick one-two.

From: Brian Vande Krol
Date: Thursday, June 14, 2007 01:14 PM

In single underswitch, I prefer to go from skate to skate, check my final skating position, and then rotate to sweet spot. This helps reduce over-rotation.

In fact, I have two methods of practicing any switch drill. In the first, I pause in two spots. For example in Uswitch, start in skate, confirm a good skate position, and contemplate your next move. Then, sneak the hand forward, and pause with the hand alongside your goggles. Are you still in a good skate position? Did you bring your hand up as intended? Visualize the target on the end of the rail for your switch. Switch. Pause in skate. Are you still in a good skate position? Roll to sweet spot.

Those pauses allow me to break down and analyze each move, something that may be difficult to do if I'm flowing through the drill without pauses.

When I feel I've imprinted what I'm working on, I move on to what I call "Handicapped Dog Drilling" (no pause (paws)). This is where I try to employ what I've imprinted and develop a rhythm, while having a single focus.

Although I prefer to drill like a handicapped dog, the pauses at various points can be valuable so that addle-minded swimmers such as myself can really target a focal point.

If I feel that I've imprinted a pause, I employ other drills to eliminate the pause.

From: S. Shain
Date: Thursday, June 14, 2007 07:16 PM

Lots of great advice once again, thanks. I think two things really hit home:

1. Less Rotation when doing double underswitches. I feel like I was probably closer to 90 degrees and had so much momentum that it was difficult for me to change directions.

2. One-two punch. I sometimes feel like to do the drills exactly right I have to slow way down and by the time I get to the second switch, I’m already out of air.

I also employed some advice from yesterday. I seem to have one side that feels more comfortable and coordinated (not my writing side). I tried to mirror the good side several times which seems to help.

I did try Zipperskate today (LOL). Every time I tried it, I sank below the surface and freaked myself out! Oh well. Back to the pool tomorrow.

Again, many thanks. I am sure I will be tapping your wisdom frequently.