It's been a while, Stew. As you know, I learned this stroke from reading The Complete Guide To Navy SEAL Fitness back in 2000. I've been laid-up out the water doing therapy to heal the iliocus & psoas muscles to get back to the water. I keep on studying these videos to get ready.
This is really about calmness and patience letting the water do the work for you.. My mistake was focusing on speed and trying to get to the other side as fast as I can. And this guy is tall and slim which helps him a lot with his kick.. I’m short and stocky.
Amen brother. Same problem as well 5’7 184 been just trying to get comfortable letting the water work slow is smooth, smooth is fast. My instructor says
It took me about two days in the pool 20-30 minute sessions of actually trying to get the swim down because I was having an annoying time trying to tie it all together. It felt so amazing once I accomplished the entire movement. Slow smooth, smooth is fast, im now swimming at about a similar pace, a little slower 🤣
Man, what a beautiful stroke! I have been working on mine for a couple weeks, and this is my new model I will compare to! Any tips for a better scissor kick to get my glide going?
Hey Stew, I've been working on my CSS a good while now...my stroke count is pretty good I feel usually average 4-5 strokes per 25yds yet I keep averaging about 30sec or 60-65sec per lap(50yds), is this normal? I want to bring it down at least to the 50sec range per lap should I keep working on just kicking harder and pulling harder or do you have any other tips? Thanks!
Hey Stew I'm going to be taking my PST in a little with the DEP guys in florida. I'm trying to make the transition from using swim tights and goggles to shorts and a mask since they make you PST in shorts and a mask here. Any advice on stroke changes? I feel so much slower and bulky now. My 500y has gone from an 8:10 with tights and goggles to 8:40 with shorts and a mask.
Oh hey guys. So much better. Unfortunately, as I was training for the running part about 4 years ago I tore an ACL. Had to move from Indy to Boston and I’m in the process again this year. Don’t give up even when life throws you rocks.
Well if you are a non swimming athlete you may not have developed the muscles that lead to a good breast stroke kick. That can take some time to learn / develop. Personally, I am much faster as freestyle and CSS vs breast stroke - significantly. But if you are a former breast stroker in high school / college - you will crush most people in this swim with a breast stroke or using the breast stroke kick with the CSS and focus on gliding more to save yourself for the rest of the PST (pushups, situps, pullups, 1.5 mile run).
I notice the scissor kick is not truly the same scissor kick you would do in a regular side stroke. Because he is corkscrewing his body back into belly-down orientation, his scissor kick becomes "untwisted" and actually becomes a snap kick you do in breaststroke.
Well if you notice the kick is still a snap kick he rotates over during the glide phase. This is just an option you can do that I find gives you better leverage for a freestyle catch for the top arm stroke.
Hi Mr. Smith. Thank you for your service to the greatest country in the world. Do you ever get guys who swim the length of the pool in 2 strokes(with fins)?
I had the same issue, I noticed if my arms weren’t fully extended or my chest was collapsing inside and I wasn’t stretched out full I noticed I started to dip or wasn’t able to roll my head to properly breathe, this caused me to be angled slightly like a 25 degree angle. Idk if this is what you meant but my issue was alignment once I did that I was able to float better and spearhead through the water better.
I lost the use of my right arm in a motorbike accident in 2005. Haven’t really found a way to swim since. Only just discovered this stroke, and I’m really hoping it’s the answer to getting me back in the pool. Can this work one handed? If so, which role should my working arm take? The top arm that does the long stroke, or the bottom arm which looks like it may be useful in getting my head up to breath. Any advice would be really welcome. Thanks
Stew Smith I certainly will, thanks. I’ll be hitting the pool tomorrow, can’t wait to try. I’ve been stuck with doing a clumsy back stroke, but this looks great
I noticed that some guys are facing down completely in your videos; other people swim at a slight angle. Is the goal to be completely facing the bottom of the pool?
depends on the race. sprints - 50 & 100 meters - generally see the head slightly up. waterline at the eyebrows. 200 meters plus - generally head straight in line with the body. remember, when you lift your head - your hips will tend to go down. also, the head weighs around 10-15 lbs. lifting it to breath (vs rotating) is wasting energy.
Peter Zarkovski I have seen it done that way but I have never seen it officially allowed in a fitness test. Though it still classifies as an underwater recovery stroke
a question, why after his legs make scissor his body leave his side position?, when he goes down the water he change from lateral to front posicion. what are the basics to do it in this way? i always swim in lateral position, i tried to swim in this way, turning the body as this example, but i feel it very much inneficient for me.
Can a swimmer do triathlon swimming competition much better by swimming side stroke with scissor kick than swimming crawl.What the answers, and why the reasons. (TheDust)
Eddie Morales I recommend only turning to breathe 90°. So if I'm gliding on my belly towards the bottom of the pool I will turn towards the wall to breathe. I do not look at the ceiling when I'm breathing.
quick rule of thumb - keep a goggle in the water while breathing. Check out body driven freestyle videos. Left hand enters, right foot kicks down. PS - dont mix breast stroke or big sizzor kick w freestyle. dolphin kick off the wall for 15 meters, then breakout stroke. Maybe set a goal of holding a set of 50 yard freestyle on a 35 or 40 second interval.
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
Wow...that's for sure one of the best combat swim strokes I've ever seen
It's been a while, Stew. As you know, I learned this stroke from reading The Complete Guide To Navy SEAL Fitness back in 2000. I've been laid-up out the water doing therapy to heal the iliocus & psoas muscles to get back to the water.
I keep on studying these videos to get ready.
This is really about calmness and patience letting the water do the work for you.. My mistake was focusing on speed and trying to get to the other side as fast as I can. And this guy is tall and slim which helps him a lot with his kick.. I’m short and stocky.
True, but this guy is not even 6 feet tall.
Amen brother. Same problem as well 5’7 184 been just trying to get comfortable letting the water work slow is smooth, smooth is fast. My instructor says
I don' think you need to be tall and slim to do a proper kick. I think it's in the form.
It took me about two days in the pool 20-30 minute sessions of actually trying to get the swim down because I was having an annoying time trying to tie it all together. It felt so amazing once I accomplished the entire movement. Slow smooth, smooth is fast, im now swimming at about a similar pace, a little slower 🤣
How’d you do that shit?
What the hell, he looks he's got a prop on there some place, Wish my scissor kick was this effective! bout to hit the pool now.
Man, what a beautiful stroke! I have been working on mine for a couple weeks, and this is my new model I will compare to! Any tips for a better scissor kick to get my glide going?
Hey Stew, I've been working on my CSS a good while now...my stroke count is pretty good I feel usually average 4-5 strokes per 25yds yet I keep averaging about 30sec or 60-65sec per lap(50yds), is this normal? I want to bring it down at least to the 50sec range per lap should I keep working on just kicking harder and pulling harder or do you have any other tips? Thanks!
Did
U become a navy seal
Where are you know?
Hey Stew I'm going to be taking my PST in a little with the DEP guys in florida. I'm trying to make the transition from using swim tights and goggles to shorts and a mask since they make you PST in shorts and a mask here. Any advice on stroke changes? I feel so much slower and bulky now. My 500y has gone from an 8:10 with tights and goggles to 8:40 with shorts and a mask.
That seems like mental resiliency brother, you've gotten this far I know you can do it. Keep doing what you were doing.
.
Wow! Very efficient.
I don't look like this guy AT ALL! More like I a dog just drowning. But I just started.
How ya looking 2 years later?
how your looking 4 years later ?
Oh hey guys. So much better. Unfortunately, as I was training for the running part about 4 years ago I tore an ACL. Had to move from Indy to Boston and I’m in the process again this year. Don’t give up even when life throws you rocks.
@@sjktico Are you tryna be a SEAL
Samuel Jimenez
Good luck! Never give up!
What are the advantages of CSS in comparison to normal breast stroke?
Well if you are a non swimming athlete you may not have developed the muscles that lead to a good breast stroke kick. That can take some time to learn / develop. Personally, I am much faster as freestyle and CSS vs breast stroke - significantly. But if you are a former breast stroker in high school / college - you will crush most people in this swim with a breast stroke or using the breast stroke kick with the CSS and focus on gliding more to save yourself for the rest of the PST (pushups, situps, pullups, 1.5 mile run).
idk if im just weak, but ive never been able to get any sort of glide off of my scissor kick
I notice the scissor kick is not truly the same scissor kick you would do in a regular side stroke. Because he is corkscrewing his body back into belly-down orientation, his scissor kick becomes "untwisted" and actually becomes a snap kick you do in breaststroke.
Well if you notice the kick is still a snap kick he rotates over during the glide phase. This is just an option you can do that I find gives you better leverage for a freestyle catch for the top arm stroke.
Is it a 20 or 25 metre pool?
25 yd pool
Damn that's good form
Hi Mr. Smith. Thank you for your service to the greatest country in the world. Do you ever get guys who swim the length of the pool in 2 strokes(with fins)?
Damn stew in 2 months swimming sub 8 my hats off to that guy
Sure but send RUclips link not MP3 file over email.
my kick and glide needs work.. also my head dips underwater too much so I'm thinking my body isn't aligned when I'm completing a stroke. Any tips?
I had the same issue, I noticed if my arms weren’t fully extended or my chest was collapsing inside and I wasn’t stretched out full I noticed I started to dip or wasn’t able to roll my head to properly breathe, this caused me to be angled slightly like a 25 degree angle. Idk if this is what you meant but my issue was alignment once I did that I was able to float better and spearhead through the water better.
I lost the use of my right arm in a motorbike accident in 2005. Haven’t really found a way to swim since. Only just discovered this stroke, and I’m really hoping it’s the answer to getting me back in the pool. Can this work one handed? If so, which role should my working arm take? The top arm that does the long stroke, or the bottom arm which looks like it may be useful in getting my head up to breath. Any advice would be really welcome. Thanks
Yes - it could work. What you try it both ways and see what you like the most?
Stew Smith I certainly will, thanks. I’ll be hitting the pool tomorrow, can’t wait to try. I’ve been stuck with doing a clumsy back stroke, but this looks great
@@DDubyah17 how did it end up going?
Really wish I could get an underwater view as well
I noticed that some guys are facing down completely in your videos; other people swim at a slight angle. Is the goal to be completely facing the bottom of the pool?
You can do it either way without fins. With fins you will stay on your side more though.
Stew Smith Thanks.
depends on the race. sprints - 50 & 100 meters - generally see the head slightly up. waterline at the eyebrows. 200 meters plus - generally head straight in line with the body. remember, when you lift your head - your hips will tend to go down. also, the head weighs around 10-15 lbs. lifting it to breath (vs rotating) is wasting energy.
How many laps am I swimming for the 500 yards
Do the math. Depends on pool size.
Is it possible to switch sides alternately when breathing?
Peter Zarkovski I have seen it done that way but I have never seen it officially allowed in a fitness test. Though it still classifies as an underwater recovery stroke
@@StewSmith182 thanks for your quick response. Your videos have always been very helpful.
Is this easier to learn than free style?
for some. I find it easier
Learn both
a question, why after his legs make scissor his body leave his side position?, when he goes down the water he change from lateral to front posicion. what are the basics to do it in this way?
i always swim in lateral position, i tried to swim in this way, turning the body as this example, but i feel it very much inneficient for me.
pelonso533 not for everyone. Focus what works for you
@@StewSmith182 thank you
Wouldn't it be more efficient to pull the bottom arm after the head has dropped under, or does that make it too hard to get a decent breath in?
Mug Costanza no
You inhale during the bottom arm pull / scull
is that goggins?
Can a swimmer do triathlon swimming competition much better by swimming side stroke with scissor kick than swimming crawl.What the answers, and why the reasons. (TheDust)
No - crawlstroke is faster and uses less legs which you will need for run . bike.
If I am required to complete a 500yd. swim via Front Crawl Stroke, would the CSS qualify, or are they different?
They are two different strokes. Ask your unit you are testing with.
Thank you for the timely response.
hey, quick question when I pull to breathe should my head face the ceiling or should it face the side of the pool?
Eddie Morales I recommend only turning to breathe 90°. So if I'm gliding on my belly towards the bottom of the pool I will turn towards the wall to breathe. I do not look at the ceiling when I'm breathing.
OK. thanks for the tip.
quick rule of thumb - keep a goggle in the water while breathing. Check out body driven freestyle videos. Left hand enters, right foot kicks down. PS - dont mix breast stroke or big sizzor kick w freestyle. dolphin kick off the wall for 15 meters, then breakout stroke. Maybe set a goal of holding a set of 50 yard freestyle on a 35 or 40 second interval.
Nice ...very nice!
I'm still learning it, and it's simple but I'm just not doing it quite right
post a video - happy to review
Hey can you critique my form? Can’t seem to clear 50second laps
Juan Ramos post it and send it to me
What is the length of this pool?
moralesef - 25 yds
Mr. Smith, would it be okay if I send you a video and you critique my form? I am a much better runner and strength guy. Thank you!
I dont get it I can hold my breath for 2 minutes above water but when I try doing this after two seconds im out of breath
Muscles require oxygen to function
Trying to cover 500 yards in 12:30 min using this exact form should be setting up on the right track
is that pool really 25 yards he does it in 3 1/2 strokes
Yes. The Severna Park community center pool. They hold swim meets here. 25yd pool
Yes. The Severna Park community center pool. They hold swim meets here. 25yd pool
Stew Smith can you use freestyle on the pst?
Alex 34 NO
Stew Smith what if I'm going for AIRR?
Yes - then you should have been more specific and not break one question into two.
Easiest way to swim😎