Total Immersion swimming videos (Part 1)

[tri_blog]

Here are some of the clearest videos of the Total Immersion freestyle swimming technique I could find, to see how I am trying to swim now. Note how slowly they move their arms, how little they kick (only 2 beats), and yet how smoothly and efficiently they flow. Look at how stable and horizontal their bodies stay, with the slightest effort. The underwater videos teach you the most. This would be great for enduring long distances.

From Total Immersion Israel:

Gadi Side Towards Underwater
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JbNvTwsKiA (** Watch this! **)

TI Coach Tomer Side Above & Underwater
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nLibzn4O08

TI Coach Mor Above Side & Towards
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTJpNc6sUdU

Excerpts from Terry Laughlin's books, Swimming Made Easy and Triathlon Swimming Made Easy. He explains some of the key principles of his Total Immersion method.

Chapter 2 - Stroke Length: The Secret to Becoming a Better Swimmer

Chapter 8 - Developing an Effective Kick: Less is More

Chapter 9 - A New Role for Your Hands: Standing Still

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These don't use Total Immersion, but they are plain fantastic swimmers, and their techniques actually look similar:

Bill Kirby, 2000 Sydney Olympic gold medalist in 4x200m freestyle relay
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dJs0ToB_z4

Alexander Popov, Olympic gold medalist in 50 m and 100 m freestyle, at both 1992 Barcelona and 1996 Atlanta.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UymstE9v750

Popov's swimming technique
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIzBaSiWdRA

And for fun...

U.S. Navy SEALs Combat Swim technique. Basic Underwater Demolition.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lUHudMN1TU

A chimp and a U.S. Navy SEAL compete to race an obstacle course.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wbVIgVi66k