Learning the Trudgen Stroke

March 9, 2011 by Leave a Comment

There is a swim stroke that works kind of like a combination of the crawling swim stroke and that of the scissor kicking action of other swim strokes. This swim stroke is known as the Trudgen Stroke and is fairly popular swim stroke to be used by swimmers all over.

Here is how to perform the Trudgen Stroke when swimming.

Step 1. You will want to start in a face down position that will leave you looking into the pool. This is often called the glide position and is how many swimmers start swimming.

Step 2. Start to perform the crawl stroke that is famous with the crawl stroke. This is swinging your arms around like they were windmills. Make sure the hands are sorta cupped so that they can cut through the water and get you to the other side.

Step 3. When moving the arms make it so that they are back to your back and you will be able to push the water away. A slight bend of the elbow is recommended as it allows people to move forward.

Step 4. Move your head. If you have your left hand up you will breathe on the left side and if you have your right hand up you will breathe on your right side.

Step 5. You will start to snap your legs as if they were a pair of scissors. Do this while your arms are moving into and out of the water.

Step 6. Every few minutes you will stop moving your legs so that you can focus on the arms. When you are changing arms your legs will not be snapping. The key is to combine both so that they appear to work together.

Filed Under: Swim, Swimming Tagged With: , ,

Swimming Facts

March 7, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Swimming is the general term for what people do to move through the water. However, the technical term for what they are called is swimming strokes. There are a lot of different facts about swimming and swimming strokes that people do not know. Here is a look at some of the facts about swimming that you may or may not have known.

Types of Strokes. There are different types of swimming strokes that swimmers all over the world use. There is the butterfly stroke, backstroke, freestyle and even some called the sidestroke.

Benefits. Swimming and swim strokes have long been used as a leisure form of exercise. It has also been used as a way for people to compete against each other and even as a way to spend their warm summer days. Swimming has been around for a long long time.

Where it Started. Swimming does not have a place where it is invented. It dates back so long that many people do  not know who came up with what swim stroke and therefore it is just assumed everywhere has always had swimming. There is even evidence that there were Egyptian carvings and paintings with swimmers and swimming strokes.

The Doggy Paddle. Even though people make fun of the doggy paddle it is actually an actual swim stroke. It is believed to be the easiest swim stroke which is why many people learn it first before any other swim stroke.

Freestyle Competition. When there is a swimming competition that is titled freestyle the swimmers are allows to use any style of swimming they desire. In fact in competitions there is only 15 meters of underwater time for every swimmer the rest is done by swimming.

Filed Under: Swim, Swimming Tagged With: , ,

Brief History of Backstroke

February 16, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Swimming has always been a major interest of athletes all over the world. However, it should be interesting to note that there are a lot of facts and history surrounding the backstroke. Here are some interesting facts and historical elements about the backstroke.

Ancient History. The backstroke is actually pictured in ancient pictures. It is believed that this style of swimming can date back to the early years. In fact backstrokes are mentioned in the Bible.

Back Swimming. The backstroke is the only stroke that allows swimmers to swim on their backs and breath through their mouths properly.

Olympic Debut. The backstroke made its Olympic debut in 1900. It was actually one of the last styles of swimming strokes to enter the Olympic competition. Swimming competitions were around before that but there was no official backstroke in the mix.

Changes. There are very little changes that have happened to the backstroke. Some of the strokes have seen some improvements over the years but the backstroke has remained virtually unchanged over the years. The only slight change that happened over the years is that the arm will be slightly bent so that there is more momentum and freedom to move around. This was discovered in the early 2000s and has been used since then.

Starting in Pool. All swim strokes require that the swimmer to start out of the water. The backstroke is the only stroke that allows swimmers to start their swimming competition in the water instead of out of the water.

Filed Under: General, Swimming Tagged With: , ,

Proper Way to Perform the Backstorke

February 10, 2011 by Leave a Comment

A common swim stroke is that of the backstroke. The backstroke is one of the only swimming strokes that can be performed on the back of the swimmer with them able to breath.

Here is a look at how to perform this swimming backstroke should you wish to learn it.

Step 1. The swimming backstroke is started with the swimmer on their backs. The head will be in a relaxed state and in line with the spine. You will be looking to the sky with the water at your ears.

Step 2. Your legs will need to be straight and with your toes pointed as much as they can go. Start to kick your legs up and downwards. You will alternate between one leg and the other. Try to make as little splash as possible as this will allow you to help keep the water level smooth.

Step 3. You will move one arm up and move the body in a 65 degree rotation with the arms and the hips under the water. You will still be floating and moving in the water.

Step 4. Move your arm above your head and put it at a 45 degree angle to the body. Move your arm towards your feet so that you can move it through the water.

Step 5. You will also move your body so that it is facing the bottom of the pool. This will cause your body to appear flat and will move across the water with a propelled motion.

Filed Under: Swimming, Tips Tagged With: , ,

Performing the Overarm Stroke

February 8, 2011 by Leave a Comment

A commonly used swimming stroke that will allow the swimmer to get an advantage when they are swimming is a swimming stroke known as the overarm stroke. Many long distance swimmers will use this type of swimming stroke because it is known for allowing the swimmer to swim long distances without growing tired.

Here is a look at how to properly perform the overarm stroke.

Step 1. Lay sideways in the water. You will want to put one the lower arm in the water and place your ear on the water. Your top arm will be outside of the water and at your side.

Step 2. Your legs will need to be pulled into you so that your legs are almost at chest level. Your feet will be resting almost on your bottom but not touching it.

Step 3. Move your lower arm through the water. While you do this you will want to move your upper arm through and out of the water. This will almost feel as if you are reaching forwards and trying to crawl through the water.

Step 4. Your legs will be moving in a scissor like movement. One leg will go in the front while the other will go in the back. You will then use your leg muscles to pull them together and perform a scissor kick.

Step 5. Complete the stroke by moving the lower arm through the water and back to your side. You will do this as your top arm is pushed through the water and pulling yourself through it.

Step 6. Allow your body to propel itself through the water and glide on the top surface. Try to make your arms, legs and kicks so that they are all going at one time. This will be the easiest way to perform the stroke and will make it easier for you to perform this over long distances.

Filed Under: Swimming, Training Tagged With: , , ,

How To Freestyle Stroke

February 3, 2011 by Leave a Comment
freestyle swimming

Image via Wikipedia

In swimming there is a style known as the freestyle stroke. The freestyle stroke is commonly referred to as a front crawl or a sidestroke. You may notice that this is used in swimming competitions. However, the stroke known as the front crawl is the one that most use as it moves the swimmer faster through the water.

If you are considering learning the freestyle stroke hers is how you can do the freestyle stroke.

Line Visualization. You will want to try to think of a line running down the center of your body. This is the best way to keep the body afloat. You will want to think of the line as lying horizontally and you just pivoting on it from side to side.

Straight Legs. Your legs will need to be straight. You do not want to be too rigid as this will only result in problems. While swimming you will need to kick your legs up and down the whole time as this will help move you forward.

Windmill. When it comes to arm movements you will need to think of a windmill. IT is important to practice as one arm is above your head the other will be behind it. When the arm is down it should be fairly close to your body.

Hands. Hands are in a flat shape with the thumb a little ways away from the index finger. You will slightly bend your elbows and push your arms through the water as if you were crawling at a certain pace.

The Motion. To move you from one side to the other you will move your arms around in circles in order to propel you through the water. As you swim you will also be moving your head from side to side so that you can get proper breath. Your head will move as you move your arms above your head.

Filed Under: Swimming, Tips Tagged With: , , ,

Learning to Swim as an Adult

January 15, 2011 by Leave a Comment

If you didn’t grow up around the water or weren’t taught to swim at a young age, it can be daunting to learn to swim as an adult. There are a lot of reasons why many adults do not know how to swim. In addition to the reasons listed above, a lot of people are simply afraid of the water. But with proper instruction even the most frightened adults can learn.

The best, most important thing an adult needs to do before beginning to swim is to relax. Confidence and a calm attitude are the hardest-won parts of this battle. You must be loose and somewhat fluid to float and execute swim strokes. Once you can calmly enter the water you are ready to learn to swim.

Next, you have to learn how to put your head underwater and blow air out your nose. It may be surprising to learn just how many adults struggle with this, but once you overcome your fear it’s very simple to do. To begin, just take a deep breath through your nose, and put your face only fully in the water. Then exhale through your nose. Once you are comfortable with this, repeat the procedure but by fully submerging your head underwater.

The next important step is learning to float on your back. This is a very frightening step for many adults who don’t swim because they feel that they are not in control of the situation. But they are! You learn to float in shallow water by working with a trusted friend. Have that person place their hands under your lower back while you gently lay backwards. Relax, and arch your back a little – this improves your buoyancy. Have your friend remove their hands while you remain still with your arms outstretched. If you get frightened, simply put your feet down.

Follow these simple steps and you’ll be swimming in no time.

Filed Under: Swim Tagged With:

Basic Back Stroke

November 21, 2010 by Leave a Comment
backstroke start, a number of male swimmers wa...
Image via Wikipedia

For swimming long distances without tiring the backstroke might be the most effective manner to propel through the water. The basic backstroke is a far more effective way to move around the water than sculling, but it also is a more complex set of motions. Sculling is a continuous and tiring motion with the basic backstroke provide swimmer with a powerful and restful motion. Once a backstroke has been established inertia will help to carry the swimmer through the water.

The basic backstroke motion propels swimmers through the water at considerable speed and incorporates a stride that allows for moment of rest. Some exhausted swimmers have been able to rely on the basic backstroke motion when fatigue prevented them from using any other stroke.

The basic or elementary backstroke position starts with a back float. With finger extended swimmers should bring their hands to their shoulders. Arms should them extend out in a position that looks resemble a crucifix position. With arms at shoulder level, swimmers should them pull their arms to their side to push the water and propel their bodies.

The motion can be perfected by remembering to slide thumbs all the way to the shoulders in the beginning of a rotation. Hands and arms should be just under the surface of the water and pulls should be long and powerful. Swimmers should stop and glide after each stroke and remember to keep their hips up. The ease of this motion makes it ideal for long distances. Once mastered as swimmer could easily swim for miles with minimal effort. The key is to build up endurance and confidence prior to attempting a long distance swim.

In an 25-meter pool eight lengths equals 1/8 of a mile. For a swimmer to reach the mile mark it means going 64 lengths.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Sports, Swimming Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

How Breathing Regulation Makes Swimming Easier

August 21, 2010 by Leave a Comment
Swimming at the 2008 Summer Paralympics - wome...
Image via Wikipedia

Already recognized as one of the hardest physical activities around, swimming can be made much more difficult when swimmers don’t breath properly. Getting your breathing under control is one of the easiest fixes in theory and one of the most difficult fixes in practice when it comes to maximizing your swimming potential. Once the act of breathing is mastered, however, the reward will be a greatly improved and significantly easier swimming stroke.

The first thing that many novice swimmers need to realize is that they do not need as much air as they think. The natural instinct is to gasp for air every chance you get, but the truth is that often times the act of frantically breathing causes far more exasperation than swimming itself. Once swimmers get past the panic and realize that the human lung capacity is far greater than most people think, they will realize that they have the freedom to easily go two, three or even four strokes between breaths.

Another benefit to learning about the maximum lung capacity is the fact that the act of taking a breath during most swimming strokes significantly slows the swimmer down and adds strain to the neck. By keeping your head down, your body remains aerodynamic. Because of this, the fewer breaths you take, the more time you spend in a more sleek position, making your overall swim much more efficient and enjoyable.

The final breathing tip that seems completely counter intuitive is the act of carrying a small amount of water in the mouth while swimming. Most beginning swimmers try with all of their might to keep water from entering their mouths, as they view it as the first sign of choking. However carrying just a small amount of water in the mouth actually better prepares swimmers for any incidental splashback while taking a breath. It’s when the mouth is completely dry that water taken in serves as a hinderance and possible choking hazard.

Although it can be simple in theory, learning how to breath properly is one of the most difficult aspects of successful swimming. However once it’s mastered, swimming becomes a significantly easier and much more enjoyable sport.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Swimming, Tips, Training Tagged With: , ,

Ways to Improve Your Kick

August 5, 2010 by 1 Comment
Crawl stroke in swimming
Image via Wikipedia

One of the most important parts of any swim stroke is the kick, as the legs are the main source of propulsion. Most inexperienced swimmers believe the upper body is their power source and that the kick is just ancillary. In fact, the opposite is true.

The legs represent 40% of the total mass of a human. This means for the average 200 lb man, the legs weigh 80lbs. Most beginning swimmers don’t realize this fact. If they did, they would most likely stop thinking about the legs as secondary sources of power and start honoring them as their primary method of moving through the water. Eighty pounds is a lot to drag, which means the more work the legs can do, the better off the rest of the body will be.

For those swimmers who do appreciate the importance of the kick, it is remarkable to see how many perform it incorrectly. Many novices kick with an emphasis on the feet. However, the effective swimming kick originates much higher up the leg in the thighs. The thighs are where most of the mass of the legs resides, and most of that mass is muscle. By keeping the thighs close together and making strong, rigid kicks originating in the thighs, the rest of the legs will follow suit and act much like a whip, naturally falling into place and helping propel the swimmer with much more efficiency.

One final aspect of the kick to keep in mind is where in the water it occurs. Most beginning swimmers think it should occur deep within the water, as splashing the top with the feet is often viewed as sloppy or rude. However the higher in the water the kick, the more efficient it will be, which means splashing the water is actually a good thing.

Although the swimming kick is taught to young children in most swimming lessons, most swimmers over the age of seven don’t give it a second thought. When they do, however, the results are quite rewarding.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Swim Tagged With: , ,
«Older Posts