Coach Yahcoub initiated me to breaststroke but it was Coach Arnold that made me love it. While most people prefer the backstroke for a relaxing swim, Coach Arnold likes the breaststroke.
It gives you the flexibility to go as fast or as slow as you want and still see where you are going. Also, he says, it’s the only stroke that gives you ample time to “project to the judges”. I went “huh, what judges?”. Then he demonstrated. Every time he bobs up to take a breath, he flashes a coquettish look at an imaginary panel of judges, like in a beauty pageant. That made my day! It was so hilarious.
Of course I wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to try it out for myself. I felt silly doing it. Obviously, I am not as pageant-ready as my gay coach, haha.
As I was doing my beauty pageant swim, he noted that I kick too much, too forcibly. And I instantly knew what he meant. Every time I execute the breast kick, I feel as if my lower legs would pop out of the knee sockets.
I would always end any breaststroke drill/lap with slightly painful knees.
Coach Arnold wanted me to be conscious of keeping my feet flexed and pointing out as I prepare for the kick. I know how to properly do this, but sometimes I would never bother to, resulting in a weak, non-propulsive kick. Also, I have a tendency to not bring my heels closer to my behind. Coach helped me fix these bad habits through drills in and out of the pool. He then showed me how he would do a more relaxed kick.
I did it and it felt great! Following his instructions to the letter, I found that I could move forward with less effort and resistance in the water and more importantly, no more pain. And no pain means…a bigger smile to flash to an imaginary judging panel. 😉
Here is a great Youtube video of breaststroke that I always watch:
http://youtu.be/kpaHls6fyW8
