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Breaststroke - Snorkel Pull

Posted by Glenn Mills on Oct 28, 2008 11:20AM (7,140 views)

This drill is simple to do, and helps you work on a few key  aspects for fast breaststroke.   An added benefit of using the snorkel is that you don't have to hear your coach (or your swimmers, in my case) while they yell, or complain.


Why Do It:
Being able to focus so intently on a couple specific points while building strength, endurance, and timing is a great thing.  We only wish all drills this simple carried so many opportunities for real work.

How to Do It:
1.  Put on your snorkel, pull buoy, paddles, goggles, and suit... and not necessarily in that order.
2.  Start pulling breaststroke, and do your best to stay stable.  Try not to bob your head, and simply allow the feet to flow or follow.
3.  Your first focus point is HOW are you pulling?  Do you push out at the beginning of the pull, which will eventually cause the insides of your shoulders to hurt... or are you allowing your hands to sweep out and pull BACK to move you forward?  Focus on making that connection to draw yourself forward, then spin your hands back out in front and grab another pull.
4.  Your second focus point is WHEN you breathe and release your breath.  Listen to your breath... just as in lifting weight, you should be EXHALING during the pull- back you worked on in the previous step.  Exhale during the exertion.  You should then be inhaling during the insweep of your hands... just as you will when you're swimming.

How to Do It Really Well (the Fine Points):
There is no gliding in this type of pulling.  This is the type of drill that mostly turns into a distance sprint.  Keep moving quickly, directly forward, and do flip turns so you don't ever have to worry about picking your head up and out... except to grab a peek at the clock to make sure you're holding a great pace.




Responses

Responded Oct 29, 2008 03:50AM

Thanks Glenn,
Can you adapt this for butterfly ? If yes, what do you propose? AUSSIEG

Responded Nov 03, 2008 02:03PM

Another good breaststroke drill similar to this one is what we call "Water polo Breaststroke"

Do 4x25's with 15m fast of Water polo Breaststroke as follow:

Don't push of the wall on the start. You want to explode from float. Only work with your arms (no kicking). Just as you would do Water polo Freestyle, keep your head out all the way.

This is a "speed drill" and should not be overdone for to long. Keep it short, explosive and high quality.

Responded Nov 04, 2008 04:30PM

Aussieg, sure... go for it on fly... give it a try and let me know what you think. I've not tried it, but there are no rules. :)

Rednic... would that be like heads up breaststroke pull? Like a fast hands drill?

Responded Nov 04, 2008 08:15PM

Exactly Glenn. But you want to make sure to stabilize your body with your core muscles and not with your kick (don't kick on this drill in breaststroke).

Responded Nov 16, 2010 12:04PM

Thanks Glenn


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