SWIMMING TECHNIQUE: PERCEPTION OF BODYWEIGHT

Anybody can learn to swim better. First step? Drills. Dryland drills to be precise. Dry land is our natural habitat and this is where we can comfortably learn one of the most important things in movement of human body - perception of body weight. It is as important in swimming as in running and other sports.

Why do we need to learn the perception of our body weight (not to be confused with body mass)? Because in the gravity controlled environment like ours, movement is nothing but change of support. And he who can change support better than others will move the quickest and with more efficiency to it. (To learn more read the Pose Method of Triathlon Techniques)

In swimming the perception of bodyweight must be on your hands. In running it is your legs that carry you, in swimming it is your hands that do the carrying of your body through the water. By learning to feel or to perceive your body weight on your hands, you will improve your swimming technique and consequently the speed.

Do the "dryland swimming drills" ( Pose Triathlon Techniques book, page 288-290.). While developing your perception, with those drills you will also be simultaneously working on your strength development much needed in swimming. For Dr. Romanov's sample training session for swimmers click here.

Just as in running, we use specific movement pattern exercises to expand the scope of your perception and develop the ability to execute correct movement in the water for efficient and faster swimming.

Come back tomorrow for our weekly Video Wednesdays segment to view the first dryland drill. It is very simple, but very important and it is your first step to successful swimming.

Article by Dr. Nicholas Romanov
Composed by L. Romanov