This week at swimgym TIMING

Pro swimmers make their freestyle look so smooth and effortless, they glide after every stroke. One of the main reasons for that is their timing, the timing of their breathing and the timing of every stroke. With a few simple drills you can make your freestyle a lot smoother. When your timing is right, you will glide!
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featured workout November 16

Goal Endurance
Distance 2200
Intensity Medium
swod

swimming blog CREATE FORWARD MOMENTUM WITH THE RIGHT STROKE TIMING

TIMING

Timing is really important in freestyle and determines the continuity of the stroke. Bad timing means there is a misfire in your stroke, stopping and starting the forward momentum. Of course, this is not what we want. We want to transition into each arm stroke as smoothly as pos...

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Skills & drills Switch Drill

This drill allows you to fully focus on your timing since you can visually see when your arm is coming back. During the switch drill your recovery phase is underwater. You pull, and at the same time your other arm comes back under water. 

How to do it 


  • Kick on your stomach with both arms in front

  • Pull through with one arm. Bring it back under water

  • Once the hand is exactly under your face, the other arm starts the pull-through

  • Continue this cycle

Focus points 


  • By using a snorkel, watch closely when your hand is in front of your face

  • Only then you start your catch with the other arm

  • Repeat this movement until the rhythm feels natural to you

Coach tip

Alternate this drill with the shoulder tap drill. This helps you change your timing of your pull and start gliding through the water much easier. 

Equipment:

snorkel, fins

COACH TIP

The better your timing is, the more energy you save, especially when you swim a longer distance. Try to turn your head to breathe when your arm is halfway during the pull-through, and turn your head back when you're halfway the recovery of that same arm. Your freestyle becomes smoother and breathing easier with a correct timing. Apply what you practiced during the drills in your freestyle stroke. Timing is crucial in swimming, got to time it right!

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