Superman Glide Doubt...

[hiabhijeet]

Dear TI Coaches,

I am practicing superman glide for a few days now. What happens is, when I completely extend my arms and when they are slightly above the water my legs start to come up and I feel almost zero drag. But when I keep my arms completely under the water then legs start sinking down.

My doubt is should I be keeping my hands slightly outside the water when practicing superman glide as it gives me that weightless feeling Or should I be practicing superman glide with arms completely inside the water??

Am I imprinting the wrong way by keeping my hands slightly outside the water.

Thanks,
Abhijeet

[CoachToby]

Abhijeet. Keep the hands in the water, arms angled slightly down. The objective of SG is to imprint good aquatic posture, not to float in a horizontal position - it's quite normal to experience sinking legs.

[MarkkuS]

Float in a horizontal position, with the arms in a correct slightly down position.

Is is this a useful ability? I can almost do this, but I still have to kick (very) little to keep my legs up.

[nurledge]

just finished SG illustration...maybe it will help

[CoachSuzanne]

Great illustratoins!!

yes SG is useful...it's the foundational drill for everything we build from it.

However...sinking legs are common for many people. By lifting the hands out of the wtaer you're playing with bouyancy which in itself is a valuable thing to learn, however it's not what we are hoping to impart with superman glide. Just do short glides and feel the support on oyour head, face, chest stomach and hips and let your body sink into the wtaer as far as it wants to. That's hte main point is to learn the support that the water provides.

Some people balance better than others, so don't worry about sinking legs...let them sink if they do.

[nurledge]

i m just copy and paste from PFM user guide which could explain SG is a basis for all drills and even swimming:

For example, here’s a guide for progressing through Superman Glide Focal Points and integrating them into your stroke. In each instance tune in to a specific Focal Point during one or more SG repeats. Then maintain that thought and feeling while stroking – after setting the sensation during a few moments of SG at the start of each whole-stroke ‘piece.’
1. Focus on weightless, neutral head and Laser Beam during SG then maintain it while stroking. Tune out everything else!
• Note: After you absorb how it feels to release your head, visualize a laser
beam while gliding and while swimming.

2. Hang relaxed hands on wide tracks during SG and maintain while stroking.
• Note: Observe your hands during SG then check to see if they go to the
same place – and look equally relaxed – as you stroke. Consciously slow your hands’ extension.

3. Feel calm, streamlined legs during SG and maintain while stroking.
• Note 1: To increase muscle-feel for streamlined legs, press them lightly
together during glide, then gently activate them as you begin stroking.
• Note 2: Initiate stroking with a slight body roll—not with kicking.

[hiabhijeet]

Thanks for all the comments, illustrations and SG procedure.
Clears a big doubt.. now I can focus on imprinting the angled hands position.