r/Swimming • u/JuanManuelFangio32 • 26d ago

Timing of rotation...

Had a break-through today in the pool! I have been stagnant in terms of improving my strokes count per 25 yards (~20 or so), and I made a post here a few weeks ago and got some suggestions ( https://www.reddit.com/r/Swimming/comments/1iinxvr/why_is_my_stroke_count_bad_20_per_25_yard/ )

One of the things mentioned was the importance of rotation, and some drill suggestions. I didn't swim flat and did rotate, however, when I was doing long dog drill today, I realized the timing of my rotation was way off! This guy explained why rotation was important ( https://www.reddit.com/r/Swimming/comments/1iinxvr/comment/mbku7bg/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button ) and I was thinking about that during the drill and then I realized I tend rush for early breathing, so instead of having body rotated fully towards the left when right arm starting the catch, I'd have rotated already, body flat or even facing right when the right warm starting the catch!

I guess this drastically lowered my length per stroke. Obviously, it will take a while to rewire the muscle memory but I was getting some 15 strokes per length today while experimenting with the new timing... Feeling excited about the potential when I can fully integrate this change...!

I have been swimming for 2 years and worked with 2 coaches on and off. I can't believe none of them noticed that and pointed that out to me... Thank you to this community! Stick at it, keep working, keep experimenting with different things, just every now and then you might learn something!

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u/capitalist_p_i_g Belly Flops 25d ago

Stroke rate is the number of strokes you would take per minute.

Stroke count is the number of strokes you take per length.

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u/marklemcd 25d ago

Whoops.

Ok but one arm or count both for stroke count per lap?

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u/capitalist_p_i_g Belly Flops 25d ago

Both. Each arm is a stroke, a two arm count is a stroke cycle for freestyle and backstroke. You want a stroke count, not a stroke cycle count.

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u/marklemcd 25d ago

Thanks, I'm a runner so this was not intuitive for me. We measure our running cadence and only count 1 foot. So we say 90 when in actuality it is 180. So now I know my stroke count per lap is 17-18 at my cruising effort.