The other timing is preferable because you're always doing something to keep you moving forward. If you kick at the same time you're pulling, you have nothing to drive you during the recovery & you'll lose any momentum you have. The way we teach the kids to think in their mind is "Kick, Glide, Pull". It makes a BIG difference, if you lose that momentum you're starting each stroke from a virtual stop. If you build momentum you will get so much more out of each stroke......

Thanks, Ms_J1 - at times I get concerned that what I'm saying is out of date, I learned in the Dark Ages & I know there are newer techniques being taught....

That's good to hear, mpeters, thank you. I've never had any formal training as a coach - I've just taken what I've been taught by the different coaches I've had, added in the things I have noticed worked for me & I pick my kids' brains all the time about what their coaches are telling them. That's why I will often throw out the caveat to take what I say with a grain of salt & run it by any other coaches, swimmers, etc. that you might have access to.....

Don't forget to turn your feet out & make sure you're not just lifting the legs straight up & down. You need to kick out with the feet turned to get propulsion into the glide.....

Macstraw wrote: »

Don't forget to turn your feet out & make sure you're not just lifting the legs straight up & down. You need to kick out with the feet turned to get propulsion into the glide.....

I'm going to have to ask somebody to take a video of what my legs are actually doing because I just don't know. It feels right but I'm not getting sufficient forward propulsion.

Macstraw wrote: »

The other timing is preferable because you're always doing something to keep you moving forward. If you kick at the same time you're pulling, you have nothing to drive you during the recovery & you'll lose any momentum you have. The way we teach the kids to think in their mind is "Kick, Glide, Pull". It makes a BIG difference, if you lose that momentum you're starting each stroke from a virtual stop. If you build momentum you will get so much more out of each stroke......

starseedxo wrote: »

I've always taught "pull, breath, kick gliiiiide."

Same thing just a different order, although that " breath " part is pretty important.
As I kick off the wall at the start I think Kick, Glide, Pull, Breath and repeat.

One item the coach gave me from my recent lessons was during the arm recovery to roll the hands over, palms down, sooner in the recovery so they are pointing down and ready for the pull. I was keeping them palms touching for minimum drag/maximum glide aerodynamics but this was making the start of my pull a little awkward without even realizing it. Roll them over palms down, Biceps pressed to the ears and stack the palms for maximum glide aerodynamics.

mpeters1965 wrote: »

I'm going to have to ask somebody to take a video of what my legs are actually doing because I just don't know. It feels right but I'm not getting sufficient forward propulsion.

Great plan mpeters. When ever I was learning a stroke or refining a technique the coach would usually refer to one person in the group as a good model. I would get out of the water and walk along the edge looking down into the water at the swimmer who was demonstrating some technique to get the coach's over head view and a better understanding. A video would be great but check with your local pool as due to privacy concerns ( in- appropriate videos being taken and hitting you tube ) my pool doesn't allow cameras/cell phones on the deck unless it is a private function.

It took me a good week to "get my stroke coordinated" I looked at several youtube instructional videos to understand the stroke. I still move like a turtle through the water but it is constant steady movement. Since I have reduced in size, the drag in the water has lessened. I'm looking forward to a faster pace eventually:)