Swimming Drills

Following the leg kick after the hands have recovered forwards the body will be stretched out and lying flat in the water in a streamlined position with feet and toes pointed, hips are held high with your face in the water, hands are together with palms facing slightly outwards to keep a hold of the water; At this point of the stroke cycle the pull commences, the head and shoulders will lift and a large breath is taken. The body will rise and fall in relation to the kick, pull breathing patern creating a wave like undulating flow through the stroke cycle.

Timing From the stretched streamlined position the hands and arms pull during which action the breath is taken followed by the kick followed by a stretch, returning again to the streamlined position.

Reach for the wall following the leg kick. Touch the wall with both hands and immediately lift the knees towards the chest and plant both feet on the wall. Push one hand forwards cutting underwater and point this arm in the direction you wish to swim as soon as the knees start to lift. The trailing arm will move over the water surface and cuts into the water with the hand to meet up with your leading arm, at which point you will start to push off the wall with your legs. With both hands underwater hold a streamlined position following the push off. Stay underwater to execute one arm stroke and pull back past your hips, the hands are then pushed forwards close to the chest to the front of the stroke. As the hands recover under the body the kick is executed and sends the body to the water surface in the stretched position, allow the head to break the surface before you resume full stroke swimming.

The hips stay high during every swim stroke and will lift even more so when the hands push forwards and the legs kick back. To ensure a high hip position place your face down on the water surface as you stretch forwards in the streamlined position; This creates a small wave like dolphin motion through the water and when executed correctly, a sense of swimming down hill will occur.

Swim 300mts alternating each 50mts Swim, Kick, Pull (SKP) with 10sec rest after each two length swim if needed and 2min rest at the finish. Easy Effort.

Pull 4 x 25mts BC: Pull 3 x 50mts FC and repeat on your choice of stroke with 20sec rest after every distance. (Use hand paddles to develop greater strength). Strong Effort

Kick 3 x 50mts BC: Kick 3 x 50mts FC: Kick 3 x 50mts BC with 20sec rest after every 50mts plus 60sec rest after each stroke. Strong Effort.

The butterfly technique is the most modern of all four swimming strokes. Developed from breaststroke, it has similarities as regards undulation and the dolphin type action that occurs. Undulation will occure when the head and upper body rises and falls in realtion to the kick, pull and breathing pattern. Develop a good streamline position by placing your face in the water before the hands enter at the front of the stroke. The hips are swept up to the water surface as the head and face drops down; At this point the arms are being swept forwards over the top of the water with the help of the second leg kick. There are always two leg kicks to every one arm pull within the full stroke cycle. Develop rhythm and timing rather than pure strength and power.

Kick Dolphin Legs with or without a small flexible float. Hold the top of the float with two hands. Keep the feet together as you kick both legs in an undulating dolphin motion starting from the hips through to the toes. This drill will help condition your stomach as well as your legs.

Kick Dolphin Legs whilst on your side. Stretch one arm down the pool above the head holding the top of a small float, keep the other arm by your side. Keep your feet together as you kick to opposite sides of the pool. This drill will help increase flexibility in your shoulders as well as condition the legs.