The source of glide in swimming

2059 Views 41 Replies 18 Participants Last post by Tithers, Jan 1, 2008

jkaiser20

Discussion Starter · Dec 29, 2007

Ok, those that know me know I struggle in the water, those that don't know me - I struggle in the water. If you go to my Active site you can see some above water videos from last week. One comment (given several times) was 'You need to slow the arms down and increase your glide'. 
So the question I have is where does the glide come from? Are rather, which part of the stroke needs to be longer? Does an increase of stroke length come from slower recovery? Or from an actual pause somewhere? I am thinking that the pull needs to be virtually the same. Is that right? 
My 25 meter stroke count is 25. One meter per stroke? Not so good. Obviously this means my pull is also not perfect. I do catch-up drills in an effort to help this, and am trying to figure out the tickle and maybe some sculling. As soon as I get all the water out of my sinuses from last night's attempt, I will try again! 
-Jim

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MBannon

· #10 · Dec 29, 2007

For me the glide starts at about the time my other hand reaches my hip, and ends (in other words, the next stroke starts) when my recovery hand is about halfway forward. 
So as my right hand reaches my hip, my left hand is entering the water. Around the time my right hand is halfway forward, my left hand starts its stroke. 
I think people get too hung up on stroke count, but it can be a very useful tool, as in this case where a very high count is an indication of a lack of glide.

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MBannon

· #21 · Dec 30, 2007

Quick update - Just got back from the pool where I discovered I lied earlier. My left hand enters the water as my right hand is about 1/3 of the way through its stroke, *not* as it finishes the stroke as I thought. Sorry for any confusion. That explains the long glide, though.

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MBannon

· #35 · Jan 1, 2008

Correct. It's called front-quadrant swimming.

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MBannon

· #37 · Jan 1, 2008

Oh, now that's good stuff, I like that. That's why CS gets paid the big bucks!

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MBannon

· #39 · Jan 1, 2008

Well...it's like tri training. All those small gains lead eventually to a big one. Hopefully. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

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