Critique my breaststroke?

Hello all,
I've been trying to improve my breaststroke from watching the "Breaststroke for Every Body" DVD. Any comments would be very helpful. Thanks!

https://youtu.be/-wqSH767ygU

[jenson1a]

Originally Posted by lykthomas

Hello all,
I've been trying to improve my breaststroke from watching the "Breaststroke for Every Body" DVD. Any comments would be very helpful. Thanks!

https://youtu.be/-wqSH767ygU

Don't know anything about breaststroke, but want to give your post a bump for someone to see it. Curious what the comments would be. Hope someone replies for you

Sherry

[Richardsk]

Hello lykthomas

The main thing I can see is that you seem to pause before the lunge. I think the hands should accelerate into the 'prayer' position and then immediately shoot forward into the glide. You can pause briefly in the glide because that is the position with least drag.

Your kick seems quite good to me, bur could perhaps be a bit narrower, which seems to be the modern trend. There is a very good video on youtube of Rebecca Soni demonstrating the modern kick.

I'm not sure if this is the one I was thinking of but it definitely shows a good kick
and a nice arm action.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsAJoVshj7A

[Richardsk]

After another look, I think your kick is narrow enough. Your head position is also good, I think. All in all I think it's very promising, Maybe more expert persons will give advice,

[Janos]

If you are training for speed, there really has to be a more dynamic extension of the arms. Opening of the arms is slow and controlled, as it should be.
Your balance position is good during the glide, but body seems stiff when you break profile. Your legs drop in a diagonal line with your body creating a tremendous amount of drag when you raise your body for a breath, also, your feet are creating a lot of drag too, they really should be streamlined, and not hanging down when gliding after propulsive phase.
I think you need to be more flexible in your lower back going for air enabling the legs to remain behind the torso and reduce drag before you kick. The timing of starting the kick process is crucial to maintain momentum and speed too.

[daveblt]

Overall looks like an evolving stroke and you are nice and streamlined during the glide but here are some things I would change... As you stretch in to streamline, lean in to the water with your chest to feel the water support you and then pitch your hands out slowly instead of them just facing the bottom at the end of the streamline so you can start preparing for the sweep out. Keep leaning on your chest as your hands sweep out. Also , don't breathe at the beginning of the pull , wait towards the end of the pull to initiate the breath.

Dave

[Zenturtle]

compare with your own stroke
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlGCIk5JPyU

[CoachBobM]

As some others have said, many of the things you're doing look pretty good. You're ending each stroke with your body in a horizontal position with good extension. Your toes are doing a good job of spreading during the first part of you kick.

But the timing of your kick seems a little slow. You want to begin your kick recovery when your arms reach their maximum spread and to be kicking your arms forward. Also, as Janos said, you want to end each kick with your toes pointed in line with your legs - not hanging down where they can create drag.


Bob