Swimming Control and Stability
Swimming with control, stability and balance, are key for an adult onset swimmer to capture as early as possible in a lesson sequence; they obviously serve as the foundation on which to build a solid and efficient stroke.
Without movement control and, understanding how to stabilise the body in a very unstable medium (water), a swimmer will continue to make extremely inefficient movement patterns.
Generally moving limbs through the water, yet not propelling the body forwards – which is our aim.
What a difference 40 minutes makes! Observe the video below.
The lower clip – the swimmer’s initial video. Typical upper body and lower body disconnected movements, typified by high head, low hips and legs, rapid windmilling arms – the obvious response to sinking legs!! Somewhat erratic leg movements that are merely counter balancing all of the instability.
After a single lesson and a week’s focussed practice. The swimmer is beginning to connect differently with the water. Movements are calmer, slower. Head position has improved, there by raising hips, there is a gentle and controlled torso rotation, allowing for a different arm recovery and entry depth.
The swimmer reports typical internal feedback cues at this early stage feeling that the swims are
- it feels easier
- it feels smoother
- it feels more powerful (easier to generate more power)
Great work on session 1 of 5!