Swimmer’s Choice!
“Can we do some technique work today?”
Prior to any swim session I coach – pool or open water – I usually have a session all planned out – with flexibility to change as it progresses.
- Key aims.
- Technique points.
- Intent of session.
- Session plan.
Recently, with quite a few apologies and only a handful of swimmers in the open water session, I asked the swimmers what they would like to focus on.
“Some technique work” was the answer.
Now, I’ve come from a swim background so I know this one.
Technique session = a welcome break from ‘hard work’! An easy session. Whether these swimmers really wanted technique work or just wanted a slightly easier session, we’ll never know! 😀
Anyway, we changed the session, designing a session on the fly, taking a look at propulsion through the stroke.
Propulsion Focus
Some key focus points during the swim – with a different one to think about on each lap. What did we touch on?
✳️ Length of stroke – front and back
✳️ Pushing strong all the way back
✳️ Maintaining a flat, backward facing palm
✳️ Acceleration through the pull
✳️ Keeping our leading arm high when we breathe so we don’t lose half a stroke!
✳️ Strong pressure on the water
We followed this up with some changing pace work, putting our new technique under pressure. Finally, we finished the session with a full 500m lap, building the pace and finishing with some strong race pace type intensity.
A very productive session – with some strong looking swimmers!
Who says technique is an ‘easy session’?
Swimmer’s Choice!
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