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Katie swims what is known as gallop style for her freestyle. This is an uneven cadence for the arm pulls. The breathing side arm stays extended and 'glides' a bit before a quick 1, 2 pull. You will notice that she briefly is totally underwater for a slight bit which reduces the bow wave for less drag. I think surface tension is a minimal drag factor also. There is a slight porpoise motion to her as she swims, which is what enables her to go slightly under water on every stroke cycle. Like most distance swimmers, she also swims with about a 90 degree bend in her elbow where sprinters tend to be at 120 or more depending on the race. For me, I always counted the 4 beat kick as a 1, 2, 3, then a 1, For 6 beat, 1, 2, 3, and then 1, 2, 3.
Well, it is a rhythm, the kicks do stay on the even beat, but the arms are not on an even beat. Watch the men warming up before they get on the blocks at the Olympic qualifying meet and it is obvious.
😎Knowledge is power! Master your freestyle pace with the SWIMVICE Speed Course: community.swimvice.com/courses/swimvice-freestyle-speed-program Learn more at swimvice.com/
Please could you explain tempo?am I right that that’s 95 SPM? Crikey. 😮
Great breakdown!! I am loving all of the olympic swimming videos right now, and your analysis is key to understanding what I am seeing. Thanks, Coach!
I'm a little confused. If she was doing a 4-beat kick, wouldn't it not be diagonal timing? At least half the time?
Katie swims what is known as gallop style for her freestyle. This is an uneven cadence for the arm pulls. The breathing side arm stays extended and 'glides' a bit before a quick 1, 2 pull. You will notice that she briefly is totally underwater for a slight bit which reduces the bow wave for less drag. I think surface tension is a minimal drag factor also. There is a slight porpoise motion to her as she swims, which is what enables her to go slightly under water on every stroke cycle. Like most distance swimmers, she also swims with about a 90 degree bend in her elbow where sprinters tend to be at 120 or more depending on the race. For me, I always counted the 4 beat kick as a 1, 2, 3, then a 1, For 6 beat, 1, 2, 3, and then 1, 2, 3.
With the gallop style its seems like you get into a rhythm
Well, it is a rhythm, the kicks do stay on the even beat, but the arms are not on an even beat. Watch the men warming up before they get on the blocks at the Olympic qualifying meet and it is obvious.