How To Swim 100m In 1:10 (Without Trying)

Summary

In this video, retired Olympic swimmer Dan Smith shares insights on efficient swimming techniques, emphasizing the importance of technical skills over fitness. He discusses the need to connect with the water, maintain proper body and head positions, and the significance of a strong kick. Smith also addresses the role of bilateral breathing, rotation, and the common issue of overreaching. He advises practicing slow, perfect strokes to develop good habits and avoid flaws, ensuring a strong catch and pull for optimal performance.

Takeaways

• 🏊‍♂️ Dan Smith emphasizes the importance of technique in swimming, regardless of the level of the swimmer.
• 📈 Swimming is a technical sport where understanding and mastering the technique is crucial for improvement.
• 💡 The first fundamental truth in swimming is to be well-tuned and primed for swimming goals on a soft surface.
• 🌊 Learning to connect with the water is essential, as it can provide feedback and help swimmers move more efficiently.
• 🧠 The mindset of befriending the water is key to efficient swimming, similar to how one treats friends.
• 📱 Utilizing technology for self-analysis of swimming strokes is encouraged for improvement.
• 🦵 Dan was a leg-dominant swimmer, but he advises a balance of 20% leg effort and 80% arm effort to conserve energy.
• 👀 Head position is critical; keeping the chin back ensures a streamlined line in the water.
• 🔄 Rotation in swimming should involve the upper body while keeping the hips flat to maintain a strong connection point.
• 🚫 Avoid overreaching in the recovery position, which can lead to dropped elbows and reduced efficiency.
• ⏰ Maintaining a good catch and pull requires setting up with a high elbow position and applying power from the back end of the stroke.

Q & A

What was the significant achievement of Dan Smith in 2019 that went viral?

Dan Smith swam 100 meters in 1 minute and 10 seconds, making it look easy and effortless, which led to a video of his performance going viral with over 1 million views.

What does Dan Smith emphasize is crucial for swimmers of all levels?

Dan Smith emphasizes the importance of understanding that swimming is a technical sport and that improving technique should come before increasing fitness through laps.

How does Dan Smith describe the relationship between a swimmer and the water?

Dan Smith describes the relationship between a swimmer and the water as one that should be friendly and cooperative. He suggests that the water provides feedback and that swimmers should 'befriend the water' to move efficiently.

What is the first fundamental truth Dan Smith mentions about swimming?

The first fundamental truth Dan Smith mentions about swimming is that it is performed on a soft surface, and thus swimmers need to ensure their body is well-tuned and primed for their swimming goals.

What simple cues does Dan Smith recommend for maintaining proper body position in the water?

Dan Smith recommends the cues 'chest down' and 'tummy tight' to maintain proper body position in the water, which helps to minimize drag and improve swimming efficiency.

How does Dan Smith suggest using technology to improve one's swimming technique?

Dan Smith suggests using technology like smartphones or GoPros to film oneself swimming and then self-analyze the stroke to identify areas for improvement.

What percentage of effort should be in the legs versus the arms when swimming, according to Dan Smith?

Dan Smith recommends that only 20% of effort should be in the legs and 80% in the arms when swimming, due to the leg muscles being larger and more prone to burning energy.

What is Dan Smith's opinion on bilateral breathing in swimming?

Dan Smith personally dislikes bilateral breathing and suggests that it should only be used to prevent stroke imbalances, not as a standard practice unless one races that way.

How does Dan Smith define 'cheap travel' in swimming?

Dan Smith defines 'cheap travel' in swimming as the ability to efficiently connect with the water and move forward with minimal effort, as opposed to 'spinning one's wheels' without making effective progress.

What advice does Dan Smith give to correct the common problem of overreaching in the stroke?

To correct overreaching, Dan Smith advises to focus on entering the water with fingertips first, followed by the elbow, using drills like the 'fingernail trail' to practice the correct hand entry.

Where should swimmers apply the most power in their stroke according to Dan Smith?

Dan Smith suggests that the most power in a stroke should come from the back end of the stroke, through the inward and outward sweep, rather than at the front of the stroke.