Swimmers- where should I begin training?

Question

Ok, so I live in Florida, thus have pool weather 7 or 8 months out of the year, so I have plenty of time to train. I'll be a junior in high school next school year and I'd love to give the swim team a go..so exactly what kind of training do I need to do to be a better swimmer? Also any tips and resources of how to "swim" the correct ways would be helpful, because I am teaching myself.

Thanks.

Answer 1

you basicly just need to work on strokes, its really hard to explain becasue there is a lot of information to know. i wouldnt recommend teaching yourself. i would join a swim team, so a coach can teach you.

http://www.usaswimming.org/USASWeb/Deskt...

check out this website! maybe you can find a club/ swim team.

good luck..

Answer 2

Not to say that it can't be done, but to "go it alone" is making what you are attempting many, MANY times more difficult.

Swimming is very technical in nature. Fast swimmers with poor technique is rare. And getting the technique right without being able to see yourself swimming is hard -- even if you know what you are doing.

I have been a competitive swimmer for over 35 years. I know what I'm doing. Yet when I want to train, I find a coach and a group of supportive teammates. If you are just starting out, don't you think you should at least do the same?

Please -- PLEASE -- find a YMCA, park rec league, or US Swimming club team and join them. They will get you going on the right path training. They can keep you from repeating bad habits you might otherwise fall into unintentionally. You may also meet swimmers who will be your high school teammates -- or competitors. Besides cost (and that varies), I can't think of a downside. Don't be scared -- just go for it!

Good luck!

Answer 3

Freestyle is the base of swimming- don't attempt any other strokes until you have atleast got free 90% mastered.

For dry land I think you should have a routine (as mine and I am close to your age)

1) stretching ankles 5 minutes a day by sitting back on them (kneeling) and when that gets comfty also do 5 mins of leaning back on them (if its not comfortable when leaning back DO NOT continue)

2)Run- but start off slow- 2 miles a week would be a good maximum and when that becomes easy move to 3 and half and so forth

3)Ride a bike up-hill for leg strength (swimmers dont need muscular calfs- dont worry to much on that)

4)Chin-Ups maybe 30 a day and add ten once you feel you have mastered and so forth

5)Polatyes and Ti-Chi, Yoga, etc for self concentration, flexibility, and focus

6)Carbohydrates for food.

*eat oatmeal for breakfast before swimming because it sticks to your stomach and prevents hunger

*wheat sandwhiches, vegtables, and health bars for lunch

*Beans, Pasta, any carb for dinner

*stick with water

Back to Freestyle, just work on these essentials-

*Kicking- make sure you have fast and even kicks that arn't to big but make 'white water' sometimes smaller and faster kicks are better than long and big kicks depending on if you are more of a distance swimmer or short course swimmer. (long lengthy kicks-distance and fast small kicks- short course)

*Hip Roll- make sure your hips are moving equally when every pull comes in

*Shoulder Roll- make sure your shoulders are moving equally (Helps to breathe every three)

*Head Position- make sure your head is down and looking at the floor titles but when you breath make sure one goggle comes out only but keep the crown of your head down and curve your lips so they can take air ( helps to blow bubbles under water)

* Arm position- make sure when your arm is in the air that your elbow is up and touching the sky- you hand near you armpit and relaxed and when you enter make sure your hands are right outside of your shoulders entering smoothly a bit under the surface than pull deep making sure you catch enough water

haha i wrote alot. oopsies. sorry. i hope you read this and it realllly helps. alrigthy!

Lotsa Luck

<3

Answer 4

well seeing as how you've got an advantage that you can swim practically year round you should start off there

in the pool you should practice your technique[positioning of the fingers and the feet] first start of with the freestyle stroke it's the most common and the easiest to perform from there you can escalade, if you need help you should ask someone from the current swim team they'd probably help even if they dont know you.

out side of the pool which is called dry land, you should do running, a mile a week isnt bad to start you off, actually. and biking does help since you want to build lots of strength in your legs.

yoga and aerobic excersises like that will help increase your flexibility.

good luck and btw chicks who swim are a plus. ;]