Basic drills

Hi, I am trying to do the basic drills from the book

1. When doing the basic balance on the back, I find that I am moving towards my feet, rather than in the direction of my head
2. When doing the basic balance on the back, how much should I flutter my feet?
3. When doing the Find the sweet spot, I can't get my knuckles to get out of the water

Are there youtube videos or something showing these drills?

Thx

Dear totalswimmertuta,

I suggest studying from the latest update: Ultra Efficient Freestyle self coaching videos and ebook. I am a beginner too, only started 3 months ago, I found that there any many benefits from practicing the latest drills, in comparison to the older ones in the book you mentioned. Good luck!

don't be afraid to use a set of short fins to generate some forward propulsion...lots of swimmers (like myself) almost move backwards when kicking

but don't use kickboards because it is a path to eventual painful shoulder problems

[CoachBobM]

Originally Posted by totalswimmertuta

Hi, I am trying to do the basic drills from the book

1. When doing the basic balance on the back, I find that I am moving towards my feet, rather than in the direction of my head

This is generally caused by lack of ankle flexibility, which is not uncommon in people who are runners.

If you are swimming in a pool with a deep end, you can do a drill called vertical kicking which should help correct this. Go to the deep end and, in a vertical position, fold your arms across your chest and keep your head above water by kicking. Focus on kicking from your hips and ankles - not from your knees.

Once you are comfortable doing this drill, you can try "falling back" onto your back while still kicking.

2. When doing the basic balance on the back, how much should I flutter my feet?

You should do only a gentle kick. The goal of the drill is to achieve balance - not to propel yourself in the water.

3. When doing the Find the sweet spot, I can't get my knuckles to get out of the water

If your hand is on your thigh and rotating your body isn't bringing your knuckles out of the water, that suggests that you haven't really achieved balance. You may need to lean back more in the water and tilt your chin a bit toward your chest.

Are there youtube videos or something showing these drills?

You might want to buy a DVD that shows the current drill sequence. The cheapest alternative is the Perpetual Motion Freestyle DVD:

http://www.totalimmersion.net/store/...l#.Vw5kL__mp9A

Be aware that we don't start with back balance anymore. Sweet spot is introduced a little later and is called interrupted breathing.


Bob

Check out this video from Richard Quick....these drills are some of my favorites for balance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jMn01H6cAA

To run, a child must first walk, before that crawl, and before that roll over in the crib. Swimming is similar.