Why The Little Things Matter In Swimming...

Often when people are looking to improve their swimming ability they don't want to bother with the "little things". They want to get fit or they want to get faster and, to achieve these goals as quickly as possible, they don't see the importance of fixing the "little things" that may be impeding their stroke. They would rather invest this time in getting more laps in. However, the reality is that swimming is a technical sport and small adjustments in your stroke technique can and do have a big impact on your overall efficiency and speed in the water. Focusing on these "little things" before you start ramping up your distance ensures that you are making the most of each stroke. Investing time to fix any deficiencies will pay off in the long run.

Here are the main "little things" that the average recreational swimmer may need to work on to improve their stroke:

Streamlining: Minimizing water resistance is crucial for fast and efficient swimming. Small adjustments in body position, head placement, and limb alignment can reduce drag, allowing you to move through the water with less effort. Keeping your body horizontal and on top of the water is the absolute foundation for swimming well.

Breathing Control: Proper breathing is essential for maintaining oxygen supply and controlling fatigue. Small improvements in your breathing technique can help you maintain better oxygen levels and swim longer without getting exhausted. Blowing bubbles is absolutely essential if you want to swim efficiently.

Hand Placement:  Where you place your hands in the water can also have a big impact on your freestyle stroke. Crossing your hand over the midline of your body will result in a slightly zig zag stroke and placing your hand in the water too early will shorten your stroke. Similarly, exiting your hand before full extension will reduce the distance you travel each stroke. Slight adjustments in any of these movements can make a dramatic improvement in freestyle.

Kicking: While you do not need to have a super fast six beat kick, you do need to have an efficient kick that is not too deep and keeps your legs on the top of the water. Bad habits like bending your knees or dropping your legs too low will force your head up, making it impossible to have the correct horizontal body position. Also kicking too fast and hard will have the effect of lifting your heart rate and making you tired.

Economy of Motion: Swimming well means minimizing unnecessary movements. Small adjustments in your stroke (such as keeping your arms close to your body or making sure your hand doesn't flick) can help you conserve energy by eliminating wasted motions and ensuring that every movement propels you forward.

In addition to helping your swim better, correcting the little things early on in your swimming journey can also help with injury prevention. Incorrect movements in swimming can lead to overuse injuries in the shoulders and discomfort in your neck and lower back. Mastering the little things can also help with your mental focus, giving your something to concentrate on as you move up and down the pool. Paying attention to the nuances of swimming can deepen your appreciation of the sport and help you work toward mastery, which can be personally fulfilling.

In summary, swimming well is a culmination of countless small details that contribute to your overall performance. Continuous attention to the small details is the path to long-term improvement as incremental gains in your technique, strength, and endurance add up over time and lead to noticeable, positive changes in your stroke. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced swimmer, paying attention to the little things is an investment that pays off with interest.