Commenting on someone's stroke

Morf3h

Hey everyone,

First thread here i think

I was just looking for your thoughts on commenting on other swimmers stroke in the pool. If they were suggestions put forward in a friendly manner would you feel offended? Is it a definite no-no?

I was swimming this evening in the same lane as this middle-aged man and was shocked at how bad his (freestyle) stroke was. Not only was he doing like 35 strokes per length but his arms were crossing over his chest and his hands were visible on the opposite side of his body. If that makes sense! His upper body was rolling/twisting a lot too.

I've been swimming since i was a baby and swam competitively while i was in school. Leinster Schools etc etc. I would consider my stroke to be pretty good. I gave a good friend of mine a few tips in the pool when we used to swim a lot together and he said it really helped his technique and overall fitness.

What you guys think? Should i just keep my mouth shut?

Cheers,

M

paddyb125

Personally I wouldn't mind if it was a friend but if it was just someone random I might think they were being a bit cocky...thats just me though!

hunnymonster

It depends. Personally I would prefer someone to tell me if my stroke was off but you don't know this guy, he might want to waste as much energy swimming (more calories used) he might have an injury that prevents him having an efficient stroke or he might be a grumpy man who would not welcome any comments.

Morf3h

Hmm yeah I really dont want to come across as condescending at all.. I guess there's just a coaching streak in me, i used to coach kids sailing. I mean one or two changes could reduce stroke rate and make it much easier to swim!

Clseeper

Yeap, I think it's all about the personallity of whom you're correcting. Some people would love to learn and take some tips whereas others can REALLY take it the wrong way.

Personally I don't to insure I don't offend but will alway offer if someone hints or comment on my stroke/epertise.

death1234567

How many stokes per length should you have, roughly 1 per metre?

the_syco

When he's resting at one end, strike up a conversation about swimming. If he's doing it for fun, he may never have had any lessons (the "swimming since I was a kid" person) and thus may not mind you telling him how to improve his stroke.

Green Hornet

death1234567 wrote: »

How many stokes per length should you have, roughly 1 per metre?

Was wondering that myself actually. I do about 20-21 per 25m but I'm slow.

Morf3h

I'm not really sure about this one. I do a constant 17 per length but i'm quite fast. I'd say anything in the 20-25 range is good. Any more and you're either not trying are have terrible technique. Good technique allows you to get more power out of your stroke and thus more distance through the water.

Good idea syco I might try that next time I see him.

hunnymonster

I would say so long as you're less than 18 per length, you should be working on entire stroke not just the glide, 19-25, plenty of room for improvement so do plenty of gliding drills and watch body position. >25, some lessons.

BendiBus

hunnymonster wrote: »

I would say so long as you're less than 18 per length, you should be working on entire stroke not just the glide, 19-25, plenty of room for improvement so do plenty of gliding drills and watch body position. >25, some lessons.

Does height (arm, leg, body lengh) not make a difference?

I'm 5'7" and wouldn't expect the same stroke length as someone 6'2"

I'd do a pretty consistent 18 strokes/length over 1500m.

Morf3h

BendiBus wrote: »

Does height (arm, leg, body lengh) not make a difference?

I'm 5'7" and wouldn't expect the same stroke length as someone 6'2"

I'd do a pretty consistent 18 strokes/length over 1500m.

18 strokes is excellent. are you taking it easy for that set? Do you do that all in one go or break it up into smaller sets?

I'm not sure what the conversion factor is for different heights and weights are. It all depends on your stroke... like do you glide for longer than usual, do you have a long reach before your pull.. stuff like that.

as hunnymonster said unless you're doing like 25 strokes/length or more you dont really have to worry about it. Work instead on speeding up or increasing distance you swim.

hunnymonster

BendiBus wrote: »

Does height (arm, leg, body lengh) not make a difference?

not that I've seen. I'm only 1.63m and would do 18. I'm a very average (if even) swimmer.

Steyr

Morf3h wrote: »

I was swimming this evening in the same lane as this middle-aged man and was shocked at how bad his (freestyle) stroke was. Not only was he doing like 35 strokes per length but his arms were crossing over his chest and his hands were visible on the opposite side of his body. If that makes sense! His upper body was rolling/twisting a lot too.


What you guys think? Should i just keep my mouth shut?

Get ALOT of people like that in the fast lane where i swim and i find if they usually dont take a hint about improving stroke etc then a polite hint at the speed of the lane their in or me kicking voilently and fast as i constantly lap them usually moves them and they get the point fairly quick.

Unpossible

Morf3h wrote: »

What you guys think? Should i just keep my mouth shut?

I wouldn't say anything unless I was asked to look at someones stroke, and then it would depend on how I'm asked* (god I hope I don't sound like an a*****e there) or by who**. Some people might take offence to being corrected out of the blue by a stranger swimming in the lane next to them, or you could end up being bugged for unofficial lessons for ages .


*I was once teaching a private lesson (back when I taught) when some random person in the pool started looking for free tips on how to improve his breathing, I consider this to be a bad way to be asked for help. Alternatively I've been stopped by a fellow college student during the college hour and asked for help, they were friendly and not demanding so I obliged.

** I will always try to help out someone I know.

AngryHippie

If you are chattin with them in the pool, and the seem to be anyway approachable, then by all means feel free to discuss it with them, some people do get a little bit snotty if you are critical, but most people take what you are saying on board and will try some of the things you say, but you will find many older people are quite set in their ways, they won't take criticism well, and they may (as mentioned above) have back or shoulder or leg injuries which impede what we consider a normal stroke. It really depends if they are swimming like that out of habit, necessity or ignorance. Once you get a bit of conversation out of them then you'll get a rough idea which it is. btw, it is much more difficult for older people to change their stroke, and they may not pick up on what you are saying to them, so unless you are pretty confident about the reason for their stroke being out of whack (BLABT) then I'd leave it alone. On the other hand, if you have a simple point that will make life easier for them ( breahting rate, head movement, stroke length, body position and leg kick are the usual cuplrits) then by all means try and slip it into a conversation. Just be aware that they might not be as gratefull as you'd hoped.

daemon1

Have a chat and after you get to know them tell them. I have a learned a good few things from people telling me when I was begining and have passed that on.