View Full Version : SS vs. CSS
beaudob
11-10-2005, 12:22 PM
Hey DonW,
Sounds like you really know what you're talking about when it comes to these strokes so maybe you can help me out. I've been training with a fellow who's got orders to BUD/s and am committed to going myself. However, swimming is my weakest part of training. I do swim four or five days a week and have amazingly gotten my time down from 16 minutes for 500 yds to 11:30. I want to do much better.
My problem I believe I have is in my stroke technique. I feel like I'm expanding more energy than I should be as the SS is supposed to be really energy conserving. Swimming on my left side I have my lower arm extended forward with my top arm sreamlined on my upper leg, toes pointed forward. I pull down and back with my bottom arm, bring my top arm forward, and my power sroke comes from my top arm (now extended) and my legs (now extended out) coming and legs together (at the same time) and it is a two-count stroke. However, I see other more proficient swimmers doing a three count stroke. This being legs coming together first and THEN the top arm drawing back. This correct? Any techniques on how to correct it? Also, I want to become familiar with CSS, any tips, drills, or techniques there?
Any help from anybody will be appreciated!
Beaudob,
Please review the topics on streamlining & turns posted on this forum. A lot of time can be saved by getting on and off the walls as quickly as possible. As far as your stroke it sounds like you've made some big improvements dropping your time to 11:30 for the 500 yd CSS. Swimming is all about momentum, it's very easy to maintain momentum but very hard to get it back. Do you feel acceleration when your legs come together on your scissor kick? If so, you just slowed down! Many use a very wide scissor kick when swimming CSS which causes them to slow down as their legs move out from the shadow of their upper body. Try hiding your legs within the shadow or cylinder of your body as you bring them up and out. Some of your legs should be in front with bent knees as your lower legs and heels come up from behind creating less drag then just sending your legs out to the sides with a wide scissor kick. You won't feel as much acceleration swimming CSS this way, but that only means that you didn't slow down as much. Remember momentum? You need to get on the next stroke before you lose momentum or slow down, so let that be your guide rather than a two or three count. We're currently working on a step by step process to walk you through swimming CSS efficiently. DonW
PS - Toes should always be in a streamline position and pointed towards the wall you just left. DonW
OddBall
11-20-2005, 04:27 AM
DonW, I know this may be a dumb question but ...How does toeing or wearing combat gear effect CSS ?
Man, you actually freed my minds blockage!
thanks alot.. I did an ocean swim today, it was horrible
terrible north current. I got only about 100 yds and headed back
after an hr, of choking on water....
Oddball,
First of all wearing gear is going to make you less streamline in the water and the less streamline you are the more difficult it is to move through the water. Secondly it's going to affect your balance in the water by adding more weight to your upper body, so your stroke is going to have to compensate for that. Be aware in the streamline position following your scissor kick that your don't sink, so when you roll to air to breathe you are not underwater. DonW
MK82,
Next time try swimming with the current and see if you don't swallow less water. DonW
seymour_butts123
11-21-2005, 10:57 PM
MK82 is a troll ignore him.
I'm usually fit enough, to swim into the current!
I thought it would, be a good way to see how much
motivation I had. I still have it, but need to regain speed and
clarity of input. Izzuz isayeret mashal mishken. Force RECON superior minds tabernacle
PEACE....
13aKe12
11-25-2005, 07:34 PM
Do you feel acceleration when your legs come together on your scissor kick? If so, you just slowed down! Many use a very wide scissor kick when swimming CSS which causes them to slow down as their legs move out from the shadow of their upper body. Try hiding your legs within the shadow or cylinder of your body as you bring them up and out. Some of your legs should be in front with bent knees as your lower legs and heels come up from behind creating less drag then just sending your legs out to the sides with a wide scissor kick. You won't feel as much acceleration swimming CSS this way, but that only means that you didn't slow down as much. Remember momentum? You need to get on the next stroke before you lose momentum or slow down, so let that be your guide rather than a two or three count.
so... are you continually moving your legs back and forth when you do this stroke?
No, its a rythm scissor and at a predetermined point of exchange...
Between glide, and acceleration.... Meaning another forward movement after
the last, one.... etc.
No, you should glide between each stroke in a streamline position and as your speed bleeds off simply roll to breathe, recover, and scissor kick into the next nose down streamline position. DonW