Last weekend I had the pleasure of working with some great swimmers and coaches from nearby Pennsylvania. On Saturday, we had a great video/technique session with swimmers from Wyoming Valley West High School, Hazelton High School, and Abington Heights High School. The session was sponsored by Wyoming Valley West and Coach Frank Tribendis. On Sunday, we worked with two swimmers from the Diplomat Swim Club that trains at Franklin and Marshall College, and Coach Jim Yeingst. It was a really fun and thoughtful weekend of learning about how stroke technique can improve performance in conjunction with the instantaneous feedback derived from using our Velocity Meter/Video Telemetry Technology.
In basic terms, and in a very short period of time we were able to show all of these swimmers some important concepts about swimming technique. First and foremost, the Velocity Meter Telemetry clearly demonstrated that even swimmers of equal ability have very different technique patterns, and to optimize, each need very individualized coaching methods. We were also able to identify after a few trials the optimal stroke rate these swimmers should be using to attain the best speed, for their stroke and events. In almost every case we found the swimmers used a stroke rate lower than was optimal. Armed with this new information, their coaches can now design workouts to address and enhance these findings.
Probably the most important finding of the weekend we were able to measure, was after the feet lose contact with the wall. Many swimmers today are taught to stay underwater, but we demonstrated that extended time underwater typically has them breaking out at speeds far below what they can swim on top. Right on the pool deck, we were able to define the optimal distance where their regular swimming speed and the speed generated from their underwater techniques from the wall intersect. While that optimal distance was different for each person, it was far shorter from where the swimmers initially tested, when asked to perform their typical technique. We were able to give the coaches objective information about the time or distance from the wall for each person for use at practice and meets.
Our goal is to continue to spread the word of truth about swimming technique, using the most sensitive swimming technique technology in the world today. If you want to join the growing army of forward thinking swimmers and coaches, contact us, because we promise, you will never look at your swimming the same way ever again.
Happy Holidays
Budd
