By: Heather Rodriguez of SwimLabs
All swimmers want a smooth and efficient stroke. There are many critical pieces that must fall into place to accomplish this goal. The first is to establish a strong foundation or body balance. Proprioception, the awareness of where your body sits in the water, is the key.
One of the easiest corrections to make is your head position. When your head is lifted, eyes forward, your hips and legs will lower or sink, creating drag. Your head should be positioned so that the waterline hits at your natural hairline. Your chin should be tucked in a bit, closer to your chest without rounding your shoulders. By establishing a neutral neck, long and relaxed, you will release the tension we hold through our neck and shoulders.
Once you have found the sweet spot with your head position you will automatically feel your hips raise to the surface. The back of your head, shoulders and hips should all be scraping the surface of the water establishing a streamlined body position, perfectly horizontal to the surface of the water. Now you have created your foundation and this balance will go a long way in establishing a smooth and efficient stroke.
Stay tuned for the second step in a strong foundation:
KICKING WITH A CONSISTENT CADENCE
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