Comments on: Two strokes forward, one stroke back https://www.totalimmersion.net/blog/two-strokes-forward-one-stroke-back/ Total Immersion Wed, 22 Apr 2026 12:52:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.1 By: cynthiam https://www.totalimmersion.net/blog/two-strokes-forward-one-stroke-back/#comment-82 Mon, 17 Jan 2011 00:24:00 +0000 http://totalimmersion.net/blog/?p=778#comment-82 Funny, but I just posted a reply on a forum thread & extolled the virtues of superman glide. It has become my go-to drill, every time I get in the pool. I do short lengths of it in a 15m activity pool and then do a few lengths when I move to the 25m pool. ALWAYS before doing any whole stroke.

Today, it felt like I was using a pull buoy, my hips and legs felt so high in the water.

One drill I’ve been doing lately which really complements SG is skating on one side and rolling to a sweet spot breath and then back into the skate. I have less coordination and control on my left side, though it has improved markedly over the past 6-8 months. Both drills have really helped my balance.

The other thing I do is to swim some really slow whole stroke. If I feel too uphill and can’t seem to correct it, I stop and go back to SG or skating. Then to switches (spear/Zen and swing). Then to switches mixed with a few whole strokes. And so on. I go back to where I feel competent then add a little. If it still feels good, I add a little more. If I can’t focus, it’s time to do some somersaults for fun and/or hit the hot tub.

Cynthia

]]> By: Louis Tharp https://www.totalimmersion.net/blog/two-strokes-forward-one-stroke-back/#comment-81 Tue, 11 Jan 2011 06:34:27 +0000 http://totalimmersion.net/blog/?p=778#comment-81 Great point pat.

In high performance driving you learn that where your eyes go, your car/motorcycle/go-kart goes. So if you stare at the crash/retaining wall/tree in front of you, you will become part of it. This is why you see one tree on the side of a road and a car that hit it, and it’s why it’s not helpful to have a cross with flowers to mark a previous accident.

I think swimming is about putting your brain where you need it when you need it there. Controlling kick? Brain goes to hips. Improving catch? Brain goes to stretched lat muscles. This is what makes focus 50s worth doing.

When you stop thinking you’re only a few alpha waves away from imitating that person in the next lane with toys stacked on deck.

Louis Tharp

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