This week at swimgym BODY POSITION

To minimise drag en optimise stroke efficiency it is key to focus on a horizontal body position while swimming. This week's drills will help you understand the perfect streamline with minimal resistance. Have a great week!

Swimming is the only sport in which the face is in the water, meaning technique is needed to position yourself to breathe. The moments you can breathe are therefore limited. This complicates swimming especially when you are new to it. Breathing interrupts your bod...

read more »
Skills & drills Reverse Catch-Up (snorkel)

This drill is challenging, but will help you improve your overall pull and improve the control you have over your body in the water. During the reverse catch up drill you swim arm-for-arm, catching up at the end of the stroke. 

How to do it 


  • Start with both arms by your side, while maintaining a strong kick

  • Rotate your body and perform the recovery

  • Enter your hand and pull through

  • When this one arm has caught up with the other arm in the back, start the next cycle with your other arm

Focus points 


  • During this drill, keep your head position stable, facing down

  • Engage your core during the pull through 

  • Maintain a steady kick to control your movements

Coach tip

Alternate the reverse catch up drill with swimming regular freestyle and try to feel the same control and stroke length. This is a challenging drill, but once mastered, it will benefit your freestyle immensely.

 

Equipment:

fins, snorkel

COACH TIP

Buoy turns in open water swimming can be quite brutal, practicing breathing restriction during your training resembles the situation during the race. Therefore try to hold your breath and stay at ease during your buoy turn practises.

More coach tips?

coach tips

What's happening on social

ONLINE SWIM TRAINING START TODAY

  • Training plans to achieve your goals
  • Step-by-step technique improvement courses
  • 100+ high quality instruction videos
  • Workout finder and workout collections
SIGN UP