September 9, 2025 - Breaststroke Shoulders
Breaststroke Shoulders Discussion
The topic for the meeting was breaststroke shoulders, a subject Alex admitted he doesn't often focus on but found interesting to explore. He planned to share videos and discuss the role of shoulder action in the stroke.
Breaststroke Technique and Positioning
Aleks discussed Amanda's breaststroke technique, focusing on her shoulder shrug and hip engagement. He explained how Amanda's vertical body position and forward hip drive naturally result in an upward shoulder shrug. Aleks also covered the importance of hand recovery in breaststroke, noting that while Amanda brings her hands high out of the water, younger swimmers should keep their hands at the surface and drive them forward. He emphasized the need for a straight, flat recovery and warned about the risk of DQs with high arm positions. Finally, Aleks stressed the importance of maintaining a streamlined position to reduce drag and increase speed.
Breaststroke Techniques and Drills
Aleks discussed various breaststroke techniques and drills, emphasizing the importance of body position, hip drive, and hand recovery. He highlighted how maintaining a straight line from fingertips to toes and keeping the head down can improve stroke efficiency. Aleks also explained the benefits of keeping the elbows close to the body during the pull phase and snapping the hands forward quickly to facilitate a smooth recovery. He noted that sprint breaststroke requires a different approach compared to endurance breaststroke, but the fundamental principles remain the same.
Effective Swimming Techniques Discussed
Aleks shared a video of Brennan Hansen swimming and discussed the technique he demonstrated. He highlighted how Hansen's small profile in the water and his ability to create a cone of disruption showed effective cutting through the water. Aleks emphasized the importance of making a "bed" with the arms extended forward before laying the head down, which he said was a key part of the stroke technique. He praised Glenn for capturing unique angles of the swimmer that defy expectations.
Breaststroke Pull Width Optimization
Aleks discussed a breaststroke drill that demonstrates how swimmers can experiment with different pull widths to find the optimal balance between body drive and drag reduction. He explained that while some swimmers benefit from a wide pull, others may need to be more narrow, and emphasized the importance of finding the right position that allows for maximum hip movement and forward momentum. The drill involves gradually widening the pull while observing how the hips track forward and the body rises out of the water, ultimately helping swimmers achieve a more efficient stroke.
Breaststroke Technique and Training Discussion
Alex shared a story about a Russian swimmer who participated in a Zoominterview during the COVID-19 pandemic, discussing their experience transitioning from swimming in Russia to the United States. Barbara and Melinda discussed the role of elbows in breaststroke technique, with Barbara emphasizing the importance of bringing elbows in to create a good profile and Melinda noting that excessive elbow squeezing can cause shoulder pain. Alex suggested using drills like swimming with a noodle under the armpits and lying on a landline to prevent novices from pulling back too far. Paul Frentsos had a question about shrugging in breaststroke technique, but the transcript ended before he could ask it.
Forward Swimming Techniques Discussion
Paul and Aleks discussed swimming techniques, focusing on maintaining forward momentum and balance in the water. They agreed that teaching swimmers to keep their arms forward and avoid pulling their elbows too far back is crucial, especially for younger athletes. Aleks emphasized the importance of head position and using techniques like the tennis ball under the chin to help swimmers stay forward as they breathe. They also discussed how powerful kicks and pulls can help swimmers overcome the challenges of pulling too far back.
Breaststroke Immersion Techniques
The discussion focused on breaststroke technique, particularly regarding the optimal depth of immersion. Aleks explained that immersion depth is swimmer-dependent and varies by event, noting that 50 breaststrokers should be flatter on the surface while 200 breaststrokers need more depth. They emphasized that proper technique involves maintaining a forward hand recovery, avoiding hand drop, and keeping the head down, with the body naturally finding its appropriate depth based on these fundamentals.
Breaststroke Technique Analysis and Insights
The discussion focused on comparing breaststroke techniques between swimmers Kate Douglas and Lily King. Aleks shared insights about Lily's development from a tempo-driven 200 breaststroker to a more forward-oriented technique, while Paul observed Kate's adaptation from 200 to 100 breaststroke by adjusting her tempo and stroke rate. Karen noted that swimmers sometimes struggle with trusting a forward pull and powerful kick rather than relying on increased stroke rate, and mentioned a technique tip about forehead positioning in breaststroke.
Breaststroke Technique and Training
The discussion focused on breaststroke technique and training, with Aleks sharing their approach to teaching swimmers to minimize stroke counts, particularly aiming for 4-6 strokes for boys and girls respectively. They emphasized the importance of focusing on body drive and hip engagement rather than shoulder movement, citing Leon Marchand's efficient 2-stroke 25m split as an example of what can be achieved through consistent training. Robin contributed insights about the importance of maintaining the correct line in breaststroke, noting that getting just one inch under the water can reduce surface drag by 50%, while Paul inquired about tips for naturally faster breaststroke swimmers, to which Aleks recommended using a tempo trainer to analyze and improve stroke tempo.
Swimming Tempo Trainer Techniques
Alex Fansler discussed using tempo trainers to help swimmers understand and adjust their pace, particularly by making gradual changes in 25-second intervals. He emphasized the importance of translating tempo trainer exercises to actual swimming through stroke counting, which helps swimmers maintain their pace without the metronome. For next week's session, Barbara suggested focusing on what coaches should be concerned about as the new swim season begins, including fundamentals like streamlines, dolphin kicks, and pullouts.
