FreeSTyle Question- actually 2

KOS said:

Hello, I have a couple questions regarding freestyle swimming
techinque.

I am trying to fine tune my stroke. One thing I'm focusing on is the
hips/rotation.
Correct me if I am wrong- WHen I swim my head should always be looking
at the bottom of the pool. My question. When I am rotating my hips,
just the head should be looking at the bottom correct? So that my
head is looking at the bottom of the pool while my chest and legsare
are rotating?, almost like a corkscrew? Again, so the head should
always be looking at the bottom of the pool, with the exception for
breathing.

When you're not breathing, your head should stay stationary relative to
the bottom of the pool. When you want to breathe, your head should stay
stationary relative to your shoulder, so that your body roll rolls you
to the air.

Quoted message said:

Question #2.
When doing a fist drill- swimming freestyle with fists- sometimes I
feel like I am sinking, especially when I am taking a breath and
pulling....should I focus more on the rotation?

This may mean that your are normally using your hand to push yourself up
and can't do it because your hands are in fists. One of the reasons for
doing fist drills is to help you discover and correct things like that.

Quoted message said:

Also, is a pull buoy the best to work on the hip rotation? Thanks!
KOS

Not really! A pull buoy normally prevents you from kicking, and it is
your kick that counterbalances your hip rotation.

Bob

KOS said:

Hello, I have a couple questions regarding freestyle swimming
techinque.

I am trying to fine tune my stroke. One thing I'm focusing on is the
hips/rotation.
Correct me if I am wrong- WHen I swim my head should always be looking
at the bottom of the pool. My question. When I am rotating my hips,
just the head should be looking at the bottom correct? So that my
head is looking at the bottom of the pool while my chest and legsare
are rotating?, almost like a corkscrew? Again, so the head should
always be looking at the bottom of the pool, with the exception for
breathing.

You are correct in that your head should not rotate past vertical
(looking down at the bottom of the pool) during the non-breathing half
of a stroke. During the breathing half stroke your head should "rotate
with your body" as you you breathe. This should all be natural, not
forced.

Have a coach look at your stroke. Most coaches can bore you with how
much they picked up on as you swam one length 🙂

Quoted message said:

Question #2.
When doing a fist drill- swimming freestyle with fists- sometimes I
feel like I am sinking, especially when I am taking a breath and
pulling....should I focus more on the rotation?

Also, is a pull buoy the best to work on the hip rotation? Thanks!
KOS

IMHO the best thing you can do for your stroke and the long term
health of your shoulders is learn to breathe on both sides. You should
become much more conscious of the nuances of your stroke.