Legs Sinking? Here's What To Do...

[@lauriestevenson4183]

I have to say that this is maybe your best video. I say that because as someone who has been trying to better their own swimming this has the most relevance for me. All of your videos are very good but they are with swimmers who need their technique tweaked as opposed to nailing the basics and because of that you are explaining things in a simpler way. That said, I am understanding what you mean from having tried to figure out stuff from your previous videos. Fair play to this guy for submitting his video. It would be good to see an update in a few months. Great videos and help as always. Thanks

[@thibod07]

Awesome video Brenton! There is nothing like watching a physically strong swimmer swimming slowly and having you explaining what he can do to improve his speed.Thank you for sharing.

[@aquanuggets]

Yes! This is so good Brenton. I've been helping my sister swim and couldn't figure out why she struggled to breathe. I had a look at some footage of her after this video and sure enough, she rushes her catch, her arm sinks, which makes her reach her head/mouth higher to get air and her hips drop. Thanks! "Be more patient with the catch...spend a bit longer reaching forwards" 7:10

[@samn8309]

Bret mentioned pushing the chest downwards and it really helps. I used to only think in terms of pushing it down while flat, doing a drill like the arms-out kick drill which is great. However the sidekick drill is important too because you are on your side more often than your front, so be aware of pushing the chest down while on the side. I was teaching my wife these things because her legs drop, it really helped her and it was an excellent reminder for me too. I'd say 20 percent of my swim are drills. I'm not in great shape but I swim relatively fast because of the focus on technique. It's more satisfying than fighting with the water with only conditioning to get speed.

[@mendesvideo]

Fantastic video. I don't have this problem, but it's good to know what makes your legs sink, and how to avoid it. Thanks a lot.

[@mrwes19]

Lesson learned; everything is connected. Thanks for the great information.

[@inz_uzi]

For me the most important thing to lift legs was to activate my glutes. I tried different things (front quadrant, better catch, head position etc.) and it worked only to some extent. When I squeezed my butt cheeks really hard (I use 2 beat kick) my speed increased and the number of strokes per length decreased. Now I need to find the right amount of glute activation and balance it with core activation. But it works. Look how this guy's hips are constantly bent - I mean the angle between his torso and thighs.

[@JJBpilot]

Look closely at his ankles...his right one points and flexes well. His left one is hooked down! He needs to work on his backside muscles...bird dog, kicking with stomach on exercise ball...I'm able to front float for first time in my life after working on backside core work!!! It helped my sinky legs a ton

[@Try_n_2Tri]

THAT IS ME to a tee... good god. Well at least I'm not alone I guess. Question - would you focus on posture using snorkel etc and YMCA drill in the same sessions or get posture sorted THEN catch? Great channel - learning so much watching you. Still can't swim but trying still.

[@EffortlessSwimming]

Depends on the swimmer but in this case, I'd work on both together because it seems like his catch is a big factor in his body position

[@FromGamingwithLove0456]

Yeah man you and me both- biggest existing issue for me is that I feel like I’m trying to hold myself up while I turn my head to breathe so my extended arm is pushing down (lift) as opposed to pushing back (propulsion) if that makes sense. I’m hoping to get some lessons that allow camera analysis too since it’s tough to tell what’s right “by feel”

[@elliotthough765]

When is your next camp in Thailand? What ages are these camps designed for? Looking for a swim camp for my 7 yr old daughter.

[@ib032011]

Nice video! Can I know what software do you use to analysis the swim?

[@kukchongpark1733]

Hello, love your videos, i’m a swimmer also btw

[@ReVoltaire]

What's rarely mentioned or discussed is the connection between speed and gliding at the surface horizontally. I doubt even an excellent, accomplished swimmer at a 2:30 per 100 pace could avoid a sinking body position. Speed is essential to maintaining a low drag body position. I challenge a swim coach to post a video of (even an excellent swimmer) someone swimming at ~2:30 per 100 with good body alignment at the surface. I don't believe it's possible. At that very low speed, you cannot apply enough force to propel yourself at the surface and avoid sinking.

[@sergeyo.7011]

I see your point Patric, but he can’t really go faster with that posture. He can if he windmills faster but then he’ll be exhausted after 50 meters. I am speaking from my own experience. Watching this guy swim is like watching myself swim. Same struggle: low hips, bowed back, stiff ankles. I also know a guy in my pool who warms up at 50sec per 50 yards doing 11 arm strokes per 25 yards and barely kicking. So the guy in the video will swim faster when he gets into horizontal position. I am working on it too! Cheers

[@newoap]

Please explain 'engage the core'.

[@EffortlessSwimming]

It will feel like lightly sucking your stomach in or drawing your belly button into your spine

[@Zumaray]

Owen Parkinson best way I explain this to my swimmers is to get them to stand in front of you, arms straight above head or arms straight down by your side. Ask them to stay stif through their abs and Move their shoulders and gently try to twist them. Then do the opposite, hold them steady and get them to twist both ways. If they do engage their core to do the above, then get them to do a log roll in the water. This is a great drill. It is a Back float with arms straight above their head and legs together. Get them to roll onto their front and hold for two seconds. Then roll back the same way to the back float. Challenge is to do it with out breaking your arms or your legs. Very good strengthening drill. This drill progresses into other drills.

[@newoap]

Thanks@@Zumaray and Effortless Swimming. I will try this the next time I'm in the pool.

[@Gynecologist]

Doing dry land Superman posses helps communicate this. Also standing back against a wall, knees bent like you’re sitting in an invisible chair and sucking in your navel to connect your lower back to the wall helps communicate this too.

[@newoap]

@@Gynecologist thanks.

[@dbabs1128]

This dude breaths very well imo. I can't understand why hes legs are sinking. It should be easy for him to correct that.

[@RunnerOfFells]

it seems to me his catch is pushing the water down instead of pushing it back, making his upper body rise and lower body fall

[@phxrsx]

Legs arent syncing with the arms.

[@typicalgamer_1153]

What do you do if you just have dense bones, cuz I have that and I try my best but even pushing off the wall in streamline my legs start sinking right away

[@Gynecologist]

Typicalgamer _1 Might need a marrow transplant, lol! JK!!!!