Slowing Down and Focusing On Technique

This advice about technique is not from a nordic skier, but from one of the best American male swimmers. Swimming like skiing is a very technical sport and better technique equates with greater efficiency and faster times.

As a contender for a medal in the upcoming Olympics in Beijing, Ryan Lochte said “I spend more time on stroke mechanics now than I ever have,” and he does this by mindfully slowing way down a part of his practice every day.

“The only way to really work on technique is to swim very slowly and really think about every little thing that you’re doing,” he said. “How your body is positioned, what your hips are doing, the positioning of your shoulders and hands and feet.”

The next time you head out skiing, whether you are a recreational skier or racer, take a little time to slow down and think about how you are gliding, are you relaxed through the knees, hips and shoulders, how are you using your arms and what is your body position. What will you discover if you do this a little bit every day? The quotes above of Ryan Lochte's are from an article entitled, "A Swimmer’s Different Strokes for Success", which appeared in the March 20th edition of the New York Times. To read more...