**When Watching the Olympics, Look for the Basics: Streamline and Breakout**

When we watch big meets like Olympics or Olympic Trials, it’s easy to get caught up in the race, i.e., who wins and who loses and did they break a record. Look deeper! Big meets are filled with opportunities to observe how elite swimmers “execute” the basics, the things we can all learn to do better. This week we talk about how to watch streamlines and breakouts.

**Monday**

**Bruno Fratus: Start – Underwater Dolphins**

Watch Bruno’s dolphins, but pay closer attention to his streamline. #swimming #olympics #streamline #olympian 

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/2429-start-underwater-dolphins>

0330 - Bruno’s hands are completely streamline and he looks like a missile

0479 - maintaining an extremely tight streamline

0591 - here we can see it very clearly perfect streamline 

0640 - Watch the thumb release

0894 - achieves a horizontal bodyline quickly

0984 - Watch the stability of the head

2958 - my favorite balanced line

3730 - getting horizontal

4258 - getting horizontal earlier

4978 - look at the thumb lock

10763 - Watch the release of the thumb

11960 - slight head lift once the hands release

12013 - Head back down during the poll

**Tuesday**

**Liliana Ibañez: Lili Start Under**

Mexican Olympian Liliana Ibañez demonstrates her tight streamline and arrow-like entry.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/3604-lili-start-under> #swimming #olympics #streamline #olympian 

0321 - getting horizontal

0403 - Zoom in on the hands

0536 - a gradual incline

0641 - Watch the release of the hands

0690 - planned or just happen the turn of the lead hand

0743 - look at that catch

1675 - Watch the stability of the hands and head over the next few kicks

2701 - Watch the stability of the head as the pole is initiated

3575 - creating the smallest hole possible

3619 - what shape do you show the water

5219 - always thinking of front end

5279 - look at her surface signature

5571 - perfect streamline

5915 - keep that image in your head

**Wednesday**

**James Guy: Butterfly Breakout**

James Guy will represent the UK at Paris 2024. He sets up every length with a tight streamline and perfectly-timed breakout.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/2609-butterfly-breakout> #swimming #olympics #streamline #olympian 

0455 - tight streamline

0951 - Watch the hands release

1073 - Head stays down in the breakout

1239 - surfing the face over the water

1538 - low first breath

1881 - perfect streamline

2092 - riding the push

2238 - getting horizontal

2848 - use the ledge as your guide

3493 - variations in hands

3548 - planning the breakout

4171 - Number of kicks or feeling the water lighten

5988 - parallel to the surface

11621 - parallel to the surface for the first stroke

12129 - parallel to the surface for the first stroke

14203 - eyes and nose still in the water

14675 - land forward after first stroke not down

**Thursday**

**Jessica Hardy: Super--Slow Starts – Reference Video**

A tight streamline is key to Jessica Hardy entering the water through one hole on her starts.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/1302-super-slow-starts-reference-video> #swimming #olympics #streamline #olympian 

0449 - no wedge 

0868 - body parallel to the surface

1119 - perfect streamline before entry

1323 - trying to enter through one hole

2842 - very tight on entry

3070 - to pointed on entry

4446 - creating a straight line with the torso to the hips

4637 - legs are rigid and follow through the hole

5554 - hands piercing the surface

5718 - torso leg going through one hole

10076 - secondary splash

**Friday**

**Connor Oslin: Backstroke Wedge Start**

As you watch backstroke starts at the Olympics and Trials, watch for tight streamlines on entry.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/2755-backstroke-wedge-start> #swimming #olympics #streamline #olympian 

1409 - position to push back

1477 - Head does not throw back but stays in line

1495 - body fully extended over the surface of the water

1505 - reaching back with hands and arching back

1515 - legs are parallel to the surface of the water

1585 - extremely clean entry

4409 - flatback

4522 - slight push of the hands

4706 - hand leading the arch

4824 - legs parallel to the surface

4871 - feet follow body through the hole 

10596 - entire body parallel to the surface of the water

10625 - hips legs and feet follow through one hole

12200 - streamline entry 

12314 - slight oval signature

12825 - circle

**Saturday**

**Cullen Jones: Breakouts from the Blocks**

Gold medalist Cullen Jones demos his technique from the blocks and into his first stroke. Tight streamline is key.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/1032-breakouts-from-the-blocks> #swimming #olympics #streamline #olympian 

0349 - streamline

0761 - streamline 

1025 - first poll is initiated prior to breakout

1080 - entire body reaches the surface at the same time

1123 - pay attention to the lead arm

1749 - tight streamline

1959 - driving the lead hand forward

2883 - riding the glide

3581 - thumb lock streamline 

4110 - fingers intertwined

5415 - parallel to the surface of the water

5457 - creating a rigid line to enter

5505 - feet following through

5778 - Great streamline riding the glide

11315 - practice the rigid bodyline

12060 - have everything travel through one hole

12192 - get horizontal

12999 - practice riding the line

15551 - add fast flutter kick to the line

**Sunday**

**Joao de Lucca: Start Entry**

For two-time Brazilian Olympian Joao de Lucca, entering the water through a single hole is key for setting up the rest of his race.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/2052-start-entry> #swimming #olympics #streamline #olympian 

0274 - heading parallel to the surface

0285 - using the power of the arms to change the trajectory

0321 - getting straight

0354 - Setting up the legs for a kick

0805 - Setting up the power to drive through the surface

0857 - hard to believe the legs will follow through the hole

1032 - Watch the feet finish the job

1316 - Single splash

1915 - ever so slight arch

1961 - immediate down kick

2424 - look at the signature on the surface

2599 - getting horizontal

2801 - look at the streamline HMN yet he’s not busy oh there is OK it’s very early for him he’s way out in


Sign In to watch video

July 2, 2024 - When Watching the Olympics, Look for the Basics: Streamline and Breakout