Now I am going to disclose that I know Ian Pope quite well and in fact was his roomie at the Trials when he made his first Olympic Swim Team as a coach in 2000 for the Sydney Olympics. It was a very exciting time for Ian. I have admired Ian’s ability to work with […]
Archive | Breaststroke
Swim Breaststroke Fast
Breaststroke has little relationship to freestyle, backstroke or butterfly. In breaststroke, the limbs work simultaneously and symmetrically, not alternately like the other three competitive strokes. Unlike the other strokes, there is also no above water recovery of the arms.
To swim breaststroke efficiently and fast swimmers must firstly use correct technique.
- Correct breaststroke technique includes:
- starting each stroke in the correct body position,
- ensuring the swimmer uses the correct arm stroke pattern,
- ensuring the swimmer uses the correct leg kick pattern,
- developing correct timing of the arms and legs in relation to each other
- developing correct timing of the breathing in relation to the arm pull and leg kick
Breaststroke Questions
Is Coach Using the Right Approach for a 12 year old?
QUESTION: Hi Gary, I have been following your website and responses to question for more than a year. I found it to be very informative. I have also read your book related parents guide. My daughter, she is 12 years old and has been participating in swimming competition at state level. Her main stroke is […]
Breaststroke arm recovery over the water
QUESTION: Hi Gary As a ‘Masters’ swimmer and coach I have been working on improving/changing my breaststroke style from the older square’ish style to more of an undulating style. It seems to be coming along alright and I wanted to say that I thought that your comments in the Breaststroke Technique email you sent out […]
How to Improve my Breaststroke and Freestyle Times?
QUESTION: Hi Gary Sir, I am 18. My best time in 50m free is 27. I need some tips so that i can clock atleat 25 or below,and I clock 37 in 50m breaststroke. Please give me some tips to improve my breaststroke and clock 33 or below. Please help me sir. Regards Jagpreet ANSWER: […]
Can a Swimmer Learn how to ‘Feel the Water’?
I was talking with 12 year old boy swimmer about 4 weeks ago and he was explaining to me how he had been getting really frustrated. He felt that he trained harder than some of their team mates however they always seemed to swim faster. I asked him to send me a video of himself swimming each stroke for me […]
How to Improve Your Kick?
QUESTION: Hi Gary, My 13 year old son would like to know how to improve his kick in training. He really struggles in kick sets and often gets overlapped. He swam at Age Nationals this year and has just moved clubs from a 25m training pool to a 50m training pool. He is coping with […]
How to do a Backstroke to Breaststroke Turn in an IM
QUESTION: To Gary, Just a quick query re: the IM, and in particular the backstroke to breaststroke turn. Once the swimmer touches the wall on their back, must they flip backwards or just push off on their front before gliding and pulling through under the water. Any help with this would be greatly appreciated-ie step by […]
How to do the Breaststroke arms outsweep?
QUESTION: Hi Gary, In the breaststroke, should the elbows stay locked until the arms reach the “Y” point of the out sweep? Looking forward to your advice, Howard (UK) ANSWER: Hi Howard, Yes, I believe they should. Too many swimmers bend their elbows at the beginning of the breaststroke out sweep and this leaves the […]
No Improvement in Breaststroke in Two Years
QUESTION: Hi Gary My daughter is 17 years old and has been swimming since 9. She excelled in breaststroke until 2 years ago. However, for the past 2 years she has not improved on her times at all. Is this due to puberty as she is now 1.7m tall and weighs 58kg, which seems good. […]
Breathing Problems in Swimming
QUESTION: Hi Gary, First of all, your website and book have been great – definitely an important tool for parents with kids who swim. I would like to ask how I can help my son… he’s 11 years old, he is in the swimming squad, he trains 4 times a week (1.5hours per session) and […]
