FREESTYLE
Basic Freestyle is probably the easiest stroke, the technique is quite simple and it doesn't use up too much power, but it is also the fastest. Freestyle uses some rotation, strong arms and a fast kick depending on wether you're sprinting or not. Freestyle distances over 400m can be swum in any stroke, as it's called Freestyle.
The Basic Technique:
Freestyle is very similar to backstroke. The under water motion is the same, arms alternating and drawing a keyhole in the water. Over water the arms trace a straight line, elbows bent, until they are shoulder-width apart in front of the swimmer. Fo rthe kick the legs kick up and down, knees straight, alternating.
My Tips:
First, I have to say that technique is everything. There's no use in swimming if you don't know your technique. If you're a young swimmer, like me, it might not seem as important now, but you'll soon realize that even in sprints, technique and DPS (Distance Per Stroke) can get you a lot further. Then, feel free to experiment. I've noticed, that for some reason, I can sprint a lot faster if me head is bent downwards extremely. Notice that many swimmers swim in a very strange rythm, breathing every two strokes instead of three. Try what works out best for you!
The Basic Technique:
Freestyle is very similar to backstroke. The under water motion is the same, arms alternating and drawing a keyhole in the water. Over water the arms trace a straight line, elbows bent, until they are shoulder-width apart in front of the swimmer. Fo rthe kick the legs kick up and down, knees straight, alternating.
My Tips:
First, I have to say that technique is everything. There's no use in swimming if you don't know your technique. If you're a young swimmer, like me, it might not seem as important now, but you'll soon realize that even in sprints, technique and DPS (Distance Per Stroke) can get you a lot further. Then, feel free to experiment. I've noticed, that for some reason, I can sprint a lot faster if me head is bent downwards extremely. Notice that many swimmers swim in a very strange rythm, breathing every two strokes instead of three. Try what works out best for you!
This is Michael Phelps' freestyle, notice the "unrythmic" stroke and his breathing every two strokes.
World Records
Long Course
Men:
Event:
50m Freestyle 100m Freestyle 200m Freestyle 400m Freestyle 800m Freestyle 1500m Freestyle |
Name:
Cesar Cielo Cesar Cielo Paul Biedermann Paul Biedermann Lin Zhang Yang Sun |
Time:
20.91 46.91 1:42.00 3:40.07 7:32.12 14:31.02 |
Location:
Sao Paolo, Brazil Rome, Italy Rome, Italy Rome, Italy Rome, Italy London, GBR |
Women:
50m Freestyle
100m Freestyle 200m Freestyle 400m Freestyle 800m Freestyle 1500m Freestyle |
Britta Steffen
Britta Steffen Federica Pellegrini Federica Pellegrini Rebecca Adlington Kate Ziegler |
23.73
52.07 1:52.98 3:59.15 8:14.10 15:42.54 |
Rome, Italy
Rome, Italy Rome, Italy Rome, Italy Beijing, China Mission Viejo, USA |