Freestyle Biomechanics

“Simple Science”

Brief history of Swimming

• Charles Daniels set the first national record in 100 meter free, 1:03.6

• Frog pond with no visibility, no lane lines, no walls, no filtration

• “modern suit”, ankle to shoulder, no sleeves, one piece, made of 100% WOOL

• “Abusively hard training” of 3x a week of half a mile a day (700 meters)

Biomechanics, the last variable

• Great performances throughout history athletes “ahead of their time” in biomechanics

• Daniels stroke description is similar to Popov’s stroke in 90’s

• Keifer’s backstroke of ‘36 similar to Krayzelburg of ‘00

• Stroke changes and developments are cycilcal…finding your stroke

How the Body Relates to Water

• Gravity (boo!)

• Buoyancy (Yay!)

Balance and Alignment

• Seek a horizontal position– Lower chin from “neutral” to the chest– Extend arms to the front of the body (in front of

the face)– Press the chest downward into the body. Hips

thus lift towards the surface

Construction of Freestyle

1. To be comfortable in the water2. To float on front AND back3. To kick from a streamlined position on front and

back4. To use the arms in “some” method forwards

through the water5. To recover arms above the water, turn the head

with the body roll, in order to get another breath, and coordinate arms body and breathing

BREATHINGExhale ONLY underwater Exhale COMPLETELY

Basic Mechanics•Freestyle on your side•Back of the head in line with your spine•Water hits your crown•Index finger enters•Extend out front

Ear in shoulder•Fingers down, elbow up

hand anchors•Push through•Thumb your thigh•Recovery initiated by hip and core

Hippo or Salmon?