How to Have Underwaters Like Caeleb Dressel

Huge thanks to Cat and Chris for helping film me in this video and to Morgan, Jack, and Rhyan for being a part of it!
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Nose Clip Missy Franklin wore at the Olympics
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[@krishnasaichalasani4492]

You truly have some of the best swimming content on KZbin

[@DerekMaas]

Thank you sir

[@mcdawge4886]

@@DerekMaas I agree, this is the first video I’ve watched and I’ve already subbed

[@canaryellow.]

@@DerekMaas i feel like you’ll represent US in Olympics one day

[@case-richcompany9657]

Yes, your videos are awesome! I was in the first generations of underwater kickers, since I was in high school when David Berkoff set world records kicking all the way, and I got down to 22 in 50 back underwater, which got me to senior nationals in 100 back even though I wasn't very fast on the surface. But you all are doing it better now, so I'm enjoying learning from you! Trying to be a faster Masters swimmer now. Your tutorial on underwater is as good as your great tutorial on starts!

[@DerekMaas]

Thank you so much! And wow 22 for 50 back underwater is fast now, I can’t even imagine how fast it was back in the day! I love watching those race videos from Berkoff at the Olympics.

[@loganswims]

I broke a school record today and that’s partially because of this series Thanks!

[@DerekMaas]

Wow that’s awesome man I love to hear it! Congratulations!

[@loganswims]

@@DerekMaas thank you Keep up the great videos :)

[@plan3tbat20]

You are soooo underrated. You should be way more out on youtube. Keep up the great work. Also do you think you can do another start technique video?

[@DerekMaas]

Thank you! And yeah I definitely should since the first one was my most popular video lol. I think my next couple technique videos will be on most common mistakes for freestyle and then for starts and how to fix them.

[@MrMooney123456]

just came across your channel, started swimming one month ago. I've improved a lot from watching your techniques. thanks man for sharing this information and inspiring me to stay consistent.

[@DerekMaas]

I love hearing from swimmers like you. Keep up the great work!

[@hollandhawkeye7158]

Outstanding video as usual! Great underwater technique! I’m looking forward to watching you and all the Bama swimmers who will be there, tear it up both underwater and on top of the water, at Olympic Trials in a few weeks!

[@DerekMaas]

Thank you for the outstanding feedback as usual!

[@thinkwa-1414]

Underrated content, just discovered these videos and their very helpful

[@treysheils8860]

Thank you so much for sharing this valuable information! This helps so much!

[@DerekMaas]

You’re so very welcome! 😘

[@waterboy1059]

Great breakdown. Thanks for the tips

[@hulusicelebi5013]

Derek, je video's zijn buitengewoon waardevol. Je geeft bepaalde details, die normaliter heel weinig of nooit tegenkomt (bv 90 graden benen buigen). Dank je voor deze video en voor je moeite. Ik geef de voorkeur aan om Nederlands te schrijven dan Engels, omdat ik het een "beter" taal vind dan Engels, die al de talen -zoals Nederlands- als een "virus" onderdrukt en verdrijft.

[@DerekMaas]

Heel graag gedaan! Ik ben het er absoluut mee eens dat Engels tot op zekere hoogte andere talen en meertaligheid onderdrukt. Ik waardeer opmerkingen in andere talen altijd, ook al begrijp ik misschien niet meteen veel, maar ik leer graag over andere talen.

[@TommyIdaho]

This is outstanding. Well done!

[@hitha1336]

Love your videos! Hope you get more recognition for these gems! Also hoping you could do more videos on techniques.. the flip turn at the wall, freestyle etc

[@DerekMaas]

Of course! I’m actually making one on a freestyle breakout right now!

[@AdamB9866]

Just found your video-it was excellent!

[@isaacmalley1510]

Thank you, I've been needing a video like this

[@DerekMaas]

Glad I could help out!

[@boudemaghchouaib2955]

You should also explain healthy eating that helps increase energy in swimming in general

[@DerekMaas]

That’s true!

[@ericstelmar8459]

Continuing to please me with great content! 🥰great work!

[@DerekMaas]

🥰🥰🥰

[@TheSnifmister]

Fantastic video I will use these drills

[@LifeisbetterwithaMalinois]

Thxs this is great! 😊

[@finoncio2107]

Your videos really help me so much. Thank you

[@DerekMaas]

You are so welcome!

[@luammerces2461]

I wish TYR sold their products here in Brazil 😔 I found that brief pretty sick 👌🏾

[@OhioMeAnUong]

underrated chanel!

[@olivierfabre1685]

Great Content Derek ! Would be nice to have a video on efficient freestyle kicks :). Keep the good work !

[@DerekMaas]

I will work on it!

[@ZamTheCatLover]

this is really helpful thank you so much

[@DerekMaas]

Love the feedback!

[@minnil7927]

Great video. I beat everybody be big ten champ 2024. Beat everybody

[@swimmerswim9947]

Thanks a lot.

[@noran1026]

Great video! Thanks for sharing! Will you do another video on spinal flexibility please either progression of the same drill or other drills for the same purpose? Thanks!

[@DerekMaas]

Yes! I’ve definitely wanted to make a more specific video like that

[@pocketcharts12]

Great analysis 🧐!!!!!

[@DerekMaas]

Thanks!

[@hugol354]

Great vidéo ! Nice technics your show here ! Greetings from France !

[@DerekMaas]

Greetings! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@honestlyurfat8072]

Hey man I love your videos so much they’re really helpful. I was wondering if you could do a technique video on flutter kick

[@DerekMaas]

Thank you! I think that sounds like a great video idea, I'll have to do that at some point.

[@johntaylor6345]

Love these videos. I really like putting them into practice wearing speedos

[@DerekMaas]

Great to hear! I appreciate the support!

[@Andrew-wk3bj]

Thanks dude!

[@DerekMaas]

You bet!

[@mirjanabosnjak8064]

Good job, awesome content

[@DerekMaas]

Thanks!

[@tamsir3175]

thank u

[@moonradio5972]

the race club did some videos on kicking recently and they have very different findings when looking at different techniques. not to say any one of you is right or wrong, just saying, that there is definitely also different oppinions on this topic, wich are backed up pretty well (regarding the knee angle and also the timing of the first kick after the wall). also having some air coming out of your nose reduces the resistance of the water thats flowing along the front of the body.

[@DerekMaas]

Interesting - I haven't been as active on youtube lately but I'll have to take a look at those videos in preparation for the summer season where I hope to produce some more content. I think you have a great point that there are a lot of different techniques that can work for different people, but remember, this video is about how to have underwaters like Caeleb Dressel ;)

[@craze_ubot4781]

Can you make videos on exercises outside the pool, strengthening the correct muscles? Something akin to a detailed guide on improving ankle flexibility, spinal flexibility, etc.

[@DerekMaas]

Yes, that’s a great idea! I’ve been thinking about making a video like that.

[@glug307]

God loves you guys!!!!

[@ebenezerbiney4117]

cool video 👍

[@Grantsand]

Fire content

[@DerekMaas]

gracias sir*

[@tyTyTyTy894]

10/10

[@ithelightr3020]

I think you have to explain the delay in terms of the vortex created by the push and the dive . Also , the key to Dressel undulation is that he lets his energy travel all the way to his cervical spine while all others merely let it travel to their thoracic spine - to be sure , it's not their lack of flexibility but how they interpret and therefore execute the movement . The knee bend is not deliberate but absolutely necessary to balance out the teeter created by allowing the energy to carry all the way to the cervical spine .

[@HaydenCoffey-rq2ry]

Could you make that easier to understand, I’m interested

[@ithelightr3020]

@@HaydenCoffey-rq2ry well as the body enters at the right angle off the dive it creates a natural vacuum for accelerated movement - Caleb enters at the right angle and times his first movement beautifully to the point just before deceleration occurs other swimmers break this vortex force by starting too early with their dolphin swim

[@ithelightr3020]

@@HaydenCoffey-rq2ry anywhere from 28 to 34 degree angle of entry depending on swimmer dimensions

[@yassuohighlights1333]

such a quality content

[@DerekMaas]

Thank you sir

[@MrsWoody-ir7jb]

I forgot to tell you I ❤️ the video you did in the snow. I’m guessing you are from MI. I’m a buckeye in Alabama. If you ever need anything I’m a hop skip & a jump from you.

[@DerekMaas]

Wow that is very nice of you, I really appreciate it! I am from Michigan but I definitely enjoy the Bama winters.

[@Umma1967]

Gary Hall tested swimmers at the Race Club, and found that acceleration was greater when the swimmer started his dolphin kick immediately off the push off.

[@ninerushclips3414]

In college, how do y'all work on your underwaters? Do you just implement long underwaters while your swimming normal sets, or do you do 25s h2o with or without drag socks and fins? I find my technique for the underwater is proper, but my power and longevity stinks. Thank you.

[@club6525]

Caeleb also has the bend where his streamline intersects his head unlike any of the other Olympic swimmers. Just a note.

[@DerekMaas]

Really interesting point

[@joesr31]

For underwaters, was told that the main focus was to keep the momentum ie. Reduce water resistance rather than focusing on propulsion thus having less knee bend. It seems like there are 2 competiting schools of thoughts, is there a consensus on this or does this depend on the individual?

[@idkXI]

Summary: 1. the fastest moment in swimming is to push off from the wall or dive off from the block, to carry the momentum you need wait a second before start underwater kicks. 2. the 90 degree knee bend like what Dressel did. P.S.: my ChatGPT result is 120 to 150. In my opinion it depends. 3. flex your ankles (we all know that). There are lots of drills included in the videos but i am lazy. 4. spine flexibility so you look like a dolphin. There are also tons of drills in the videos. 4:05 5. The arm motion makes you move backward, a little is enough. 6. Wear a nose clip in the backstroke. 7. increase power using equipment 6:01

[@jasonmcmechan2072]

God bless!

[@moulaye7534]

Nice video. Can you show the spine exercise with a wider angle (legs and arms).

[@a.joseph4233]

How do you wear a noce clip if you do the 200 or 400 I/M....Masters Swimmer here..thanks

[@Ricocase]

What do you eat b4 and after 🏊‍♂️ practice?

[@baktijrsniper1684]

Good👍👍👍👍

[@alexchristou1790]

Unrelated question but when pulling in for example breastroke should the water feel very hard to pull. I find that the more relaxed my hands are the more efficient my stroke is but I might be able to pull more if I pull the water more aggressive. Any thoughts?

[@DerekMaas]

I’d say it depends on the event you are swimming. For the 50/100, all of the top breaststrokers have pretty aggressive pulls while still being efficient, but you’ll see with a lot of the 200 swimmers that for the first 100 they will likely be very relaxed on the pull.

[@coachaaronmba]

I thought Ryan was wearing fins at first! Crazy flexibility!

[@DerekMaas]

So true!!

[@kagsdev]

00:01 (the first clip) contradicts 04:51, I mean its context dependent

[@lukedelagarza603]

In theraceclub’s video “How many dolphin kicks should a swimmer take” at around the 15 min mark, they come to the conclusion that kicking immediately off the wall actually retains speed better than a short glide. I just thought I’d point this out.

[@DerekMaas]

Interesting - I'd respond to that by saying it's probably not true with more athletic individuals, and probably isn't ideal for most races (more easily tires you out).

[@pocketcharts12]

I really like your analysis and details- I always wondered whether someone doing a 100 free can dive in and then take two fly strokes prior to doing the crawl stoke- What are your thoughts?

[@DerekMaas]

Yeah that’s definitely legal, I’d be interested to know if it’d be any faster but I do know some people who are faster swimming fly with flip turns than freestyle so it could be something to try.

[@pocketcharts12]

How about doing an analysis on this with some of your swimmers?

[@DerekMaas]

@@pocketcharts12 I’ll try this with Riley Vanmeter, he’d probably be the best example I could find

[@christinebottaro9017]

Where should your eyes be looking during the underwaters?

[@4EntertainmentOnly]

Thats interesting. I never saw any videos of swimming training...and as a kid...I would just imagine what a dolpin or mermaid would swim like.

[@DerekMaas]

Haha honestly that is a great way of doing it! So many kids nowadays think of it more as a kick than a 'fifth stroke'.

[@rwotomaraherbert7974]

I like swimming but in this country,poor finanances,poor facilities But I will make it to Olympics someday.

[@DerekMaas]

I love to hear it! Keep working!

[@HK-bc9hh]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@robohippy]

Hmm, more things to ponder while I am swimming laps..... First, I am guessing that Caleb using a high amplitude dolphin kick for his underwaters is more of a sprint technique rather than what he does for longer distances. This is one topic that I don't think is taught to the general public as much as it should be. Interesting fins and I may have to try them. At first I thought they were the more standard 'frog feet' which are pretty much 2 dimensional, which frog and duck feet are, but ours are not. That type of fin fights you if you are trying to go pigeon toed while kicking. I have been using the Finis Positive Drive fins which are more off set than the ones you show. They actually make your feet turn in, which is what my feet do normally. I did try those Aqua Fins, and couldn't get my feet into them, and they are made up side down.... I don't exactly have Franken Feet either... The part about your hands pushing if you use your whole body for the dolphin kick, I do not agree with. So, the dolphin kick and butterfly is a 2 kick per arm cycle stroke. The first kick is the power kick, and the second one is not nearly as strong. Did you ever wonder why? The power in the dolphin kick comes from a body wave movement where you crack the whip both up and down. this is not a rope type crack the whip, but more like twanging a metal or plastic ruler off the edge of a desk top. The body wave with the first kick starts on the recover with arms up slightly, then chest out of the water and as the hands enter they go down a little, the chest goes down, then the hips follow, and then through the knees and feet. With the second kick, your arms are at the end of the pull, and you can not use them for that longer whip action, so the second kick whip starts closer to your shoulders and chest, which is pretty much what you do if you are practicing kicks and using a kick board, You are not using your full body length to generate that whip action. So, the porpoise action you use when you are just doing underwaters, you do use your arms and hands to contribute to the stroke. At 4:30, you show the up motion used to generate a tiny bit of up scooping action to use full body whip action. This is the exact opposite of the clip you show when you are demonstrating how your hands 'push'. So, in the down part of the hands motion you actually flex at the wrist as you do when you 'catch' the water, and this is very similar to the hands entering the water on the recover, you actually scoop down a little bit. Other than that, one thing that baffles me about breast stroke and butterfly, is why don't they let the swimmers do flip turns? I can understand the 2 hand touch to finish a race, but they have to use 2 feet on the wall to push off after a turn. Only reason I can think of is because that is the way they have always done it. I feel the same way about having to touch the wall with a hand when doing turns in the IM and in IM relays. Makes no sense to me....

[@DerekMaas]

Thanks for the interesting comment again. I really like to read your analysis on the dolphin kick and had never though about the power differences that way. As far as the flip turns, I imagine it getting a little weird with short course races doing underwaters to 15m then taking a huge pulldown just past the flags and going into a flip turn in butterfly and breaststroke races, but I practice with flip turns in br and fly all the time so it would be interesting.

[@robohippy]

@@DerekMaas I had a discussion with one swim channel moderator about this and his opinion was that all the action in the dolphin kick came from mid chest and down. One look at Michael Phelps in stop mode in his butterfly, just before the pull, and you can see that his head and chest are maybe a foot under the water surface. Easy to observe. I do think outside the box..... Perhaps because I never had any real coaching till now days, and being 70, I am looking from the outside rather than being traditional...

[@robohippy]

Well, I am trying to figure out the fly after 50 years off.... I thought there was a power kick that was linked to the arms being thrown forward. I think I was wrong about that. After watching a bunch of fly videos, I noticed that there were times when the heels would break the surface of the water. As near as I can tell, that seems to be linked to the breathing stroke, and not to the arms in front. I need to work that back exercise too. I have tried that part where you are underwater and show the hands pushing. I couldn't do it. I am almost thinking that your body wave action is going from feet to shoulders. Caleb actually scoops down a little bit rather than pushing away. Same with the up part of his arm movement. I do tend to overanalyze things....

[@robohippy]

I am spending time with that spine against the wall exercise. Surprising how much it makes my abs work. I also need more shoulder flexibility. Using stretch cords, but I went to the big box hardware store and bought some bungee cord, the bulk lengths. I will get there eventually.

[@cocothefly]

I'm having a problem with dolphin kicks, can't move upwards when doing them. Have no idea on what to do to still do dolphin kick and move up towards the surface.

[@DerekMaas]

For this problem I’d recommend lifting up with your upper body slightly without breaking your body line. I’d try not to use your arms but you could do this if you have to.

[@ethansong8446]

Thank you for the video. Think I just saw you swim at trials, nice 200 breastroke swim

[@DerekMaas]

Thanks man! A little off my bests recently but I think next year post covid will be a big one.

[@Pro_Spawner]

You should be a swim coach!!

[@Repienk]

What about how many dolphin kicks caleb does from starts and off the walls? Doesn't he do like 7-8 from the blocks and 6 off each wall? Also do most people you train with just pucker their lips to their nose when doing underwaters on their back, ive always been told by most people to slowly release air out of my nose but that never really stops water from assaulting my holes.

[@DerekMaas]

You’re right, I should have mentioned that.

[@DerekMaas]

Off the start he normally does 6 for every stroke but more recently has been doing 5 on butterfly sometimes. Off of walls he does 6 on freestyle and 8 on butterfly. I’ll be interested to see if he keeps this strategy in Tokyo.

[@DerekMaas]

I’d honestly recommend using a nose lip if you can’t block all the air from coming out because any air that comes out will cause you to run out of breath and lose energy.

[@Repienk]

@@DerekMaas 🐐🐐

[@leikoo.]

I heard a lot of popping in my ankles when I rolled them, is that normal?

[@DerekMaas]

Rolled them as in foam rolling?

[@kelvin-nz7sf]

ankle flexibility = speed

[@DerekMaas]

So true

[@yezzamouad9469]

Maybe 90° gets you max power, but it maximises the drag also, so not shure about

[@treysheils8860]

First comment!!!

[@user-ts4hv1xy7b]

Angle 90? right?^^

[@DrVektor]

4:13 how can i find swimsuit like this shape? Sweet home alabama 😁

[@4EntertainmentOnly]

I like holding my breath for the 50 yards when i was younger...and like swimming the entire length all underwater.

[@DerekMaas]

Wow! That must have been exhausting!

[@louisfain]

Guys. Does Dressel have faster underwater than Phelps? Phelps underwater looks more refined because he holds his upper body steady.

[@DerekMaas]

I’d say Phelps’ do look better but Dressel does have the fastest time in history to 15m off the start and turn but it’s hard to tell if this is from his vertical leap or underwaters.

[@eldadzamir7839]

You should mention that his stearmline is sidewats to minimize drag when he moves his arms

[@DerekMaas]

Hmm I’m not sure what you mean by his streamline is sideways, could you elaborate?

[@eldadzamir7839]

His hands are sideways like some swimmers that enter the water with there hands pointed sideways in butterfly such as Michael Phelps reduce drag so what he does is turn his hands to minimize drag because he moves his arms a lot

[@eldadzamir7839]

This helped me a lot in my underwater since now in can move my hands at a much higher speed

[@eldadzamir7839]

If you don't understand ill contact you on ig

[@DerekMaas]

@@eldadzamir7839 ahhh that makes sense, it’s cool that you noticed that

[@MrsWoody-ir7jb]

I would be willing host you or or brother/family during you college years.

[@uchihasasuke6275]

I understand ur point why u shouldn't start kicking immediately. But Pros r doing this every time. If u look at breast swimmers u recognize them doing 3 kicks at the beginning of the start although it's illegal. Van der Burgh Said that he does that like every breaststroke Olympic swimmer because it's faster. Could u tell me why they're saying that?

[@DerekMaas]

Yeah some breaststroke swimmers do this but they do it illegally, as only one dolphin on the pullout is legal. It’s not necessary (Adam peaty only takes one kick) and I wouldn’t recommend this because it’s illegal and can get you disqualified along with getting you a reputation as a cheater.

[@uchihasasuke6275]

@@DerekMaas yeah I know but I think u perhaps missed my point. Even breaststroke swimmers do that. I wanted to say that I saw this Butterfly and Freestyle too. But I didn't see every athlete doing this either. So do u know what thoughts r behind that?

[@DerekMaas]

@@uchihasasuke6275 I did see a comparison between Caeleb Dressel and other swimmers on the start and off the wall. Dressel waits much longer to start his first kick than every other swimmer, getting faster to 15m and probably saving energy. I know part of this is his crazy vertical leap but it’s hard to argue with speed. Unfortunately this comparison came out after I made this video, otherwise I would have included it.

[@uchihasasuke6275]

@@DerekMaas ah ok, thanks buddy :D

[@tomatomb8704]

Answer: Go and see an Osteopath 😂😂

[@elwadhani5594]

Just discovered my spine flexibility is almost non existent i feel like my lats are so stiff

[@DerekMaas]

Keep working on it!!

[@Paul-qb7lo]

As funny as this sounds I would always exhale on my flip turns wondering why I was not able to stay under water as long as other swimmers.

[@krishnasaichalasani4492]

3:08 Is that a mermaid

[@DerekMaas]

Hahaha she basically is

[@MegaShred1000]

Your video has been reported for: “inappropriate exposure” time stamp: 4:05 Please review your video before publishing again.

[@DerekMaas]

woah chillll

[@swimmerzackj]

In my case grow an entire foot….

[@brianodonnell1384]

????

[@DerekMaas]

?

[@gangyal8537]

Wwwow......The theory is totally contrary to what I heard from other coaches. Feel up side down now.

[@DerekMaas]

Yeah I had a coach who just came out of college and he was really into new and improving techniques which is a large part of the reason I’ve been very into modernizing technique in these videos.

[@ivoryjohnson1896]

JESUS CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS