How to Stop Slipping in Freestyle SWIMVICE

COACH MANDY JUNE

Introduction:

In the world of swimming, mastering the freestyle technique is crucial for efficiency and speed. However, many swimmers face a common struggle of slipping in the water, where they find their arms moving faster than their body travels forward. This not only wastes energy but also hinders their forward momentum. Discover ‘How to Stop Slipping in Freestyle’ as we explore effective strategies to overcome this challenge and achieve a smooth, gliding freestyle stroke. Additionally, we will provide a quick tip video that demonstrates one of the latest techniques to help you visualize and understand the process better.

Understanding the Slip:

Slipping in the water occurs when the swimmers’ arms move faster than their body, resulting in wasted energy and inefficient movement. This struggle often arises due to improper timing and coordination between the arms and the body. If you’ve ever used paddles during training, you may have experienced the sensation of your arms slipping through the water once you take them off. This feeling is a clear indicator of slipping and moving your arms too quickly underwater.

The Importance of the Catch and Press

To address the slipping issue, it’s crucial to understand the difference between simply pulling your arms and forming a proper catch and press. It involves not only body position but also utilizing your lat muscles and engaging your whole body core to effectively move past the water. This concept may be challenging to understand until you put it into practice.

Female swimmer showing how to swim SWIMVICE freestyle

Focus on Body Position

Achieving the right body position is essential to reduce slipping and improve forward momentum. Maintain a streamlined body alignment by ensuring that your head is in line with your spine and your hips are at the water’s surface. This position minimizes drag and enables smoother movement through the water.

Establish Proper Arm Timing:

Male swimmer demonstrating how to streamline and how to stop slipping in freestyle

To prevent slipping, it’s crucial to synchronize your arm movements with your body’s forward motion. Remember, the arms should generate propulsion to aid in forward momentum rather than overpower it. Follow these steps to establish the correct arm timing:

 

a. Entry Phase: As your leading arm extends forward, focus on entering the water with your fingertips first, followed by the rest of your arm. This technique ensures a smooth entry without causing unnecessary splashing, which can disrupt your forward motion.

 

b. Catch and Pull: As your hand enters the water, initiate the catch phase by flexing your wrist downward and engaging your forearm muscles. This action creates an anchor-like effect, allowing you to generate more power. Begin the pull phase by sweeping your hand backward in a slightly downward direction, propelling yourself forward.

 

c. Recovery Phase: Once you complete the pull phase, recover your arm quickly by bending your elbow and bringing it out of the water. This motion should be swift and efficient, minimizing resistance and maintaining a streamlined body position.

Infographic on tips on How to Stop Slipping in Freestyle SWIMVICE

Practice Progressions and Drills with SWIMVICE:

To truly feel the concept of the catch and press, it’s important to go through a specific set of progressions and drills that target this technique. This is exclusively offered inside the SWIMVICE program. Through the SWIMVICE freestyle program, you will have access to a variety of specialized drills and progressions that will help you develop a strong catch and press, enhancing your ability to overcome slipping and glide through the water with ease.

Conclusion:

Overcoming the challenge of slipping in freestyle swimming requires a combination of proper body position, synchronized arm movements, and focused practice. By implementing the techniques outlined in this blog post and following the SWIMVICE freestyle program, you can enhance your technique and glide through the water with ease. Remember, efficiency and reduced energy wastage are the keys to achieving a powerful and effective freestyle stroke.

 

Now, it’s time for you to take action! Have you ever experienced slipping in the water during your freestyle swim? What techniques have you tried to overcome it? Share your experiences and join the conversation in the comments below. Let’s dive into the journey of mastering freestyle technique together!

 

To join the SWIMVICE freestyle program today and unlock your full swimming potential, visit swimvice.com. Take the first step towards becoming a more efficient and skilled freestyle swimmer. Don’t let slipping hold you back any longer!

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