Great tapes. I'm 71 and spent a lifetime doing what I call "Survival" swimming, head thrashing, etc. I got this far without drowning, but there has never been any real joy in the act of swimming, until now. I am teaching myself, via your taped lessons, to swim properly. I'm retired, have the time and close a pool, and live in Florida, so thanks so much for the tips.
I'm a beginner swimmer (but experienced runner) and your videos are the most helpful thing I've found in my search for help with technique. The pitfalls you mention (head up, hips down, arms faster, gasping for breath) exactly describe my last couple of swims at the gym. Thanks for the detailed teaching of technique. I will use your lessons in my training.
one day of implementing your drills has DRASTICALLY improved my swims. I took a handful of private lessons and no one broke down the fundamentals of hydrodynamics like you have. I breathe very easily now and am not winded after a lap or two.
Hi Coach, wanted you to know your videos helped me out. I signed up for IM Hawaii 70.3 in June, but couldn't swim. I was following the TI video program and making a little progress, but my balance (and therefore comfort) were poor. I searched for balance drills and found you. The pencil drill and being long in the water dramatically improved my comfort and efficiency on the first day (only 2 wks before the race) Made it through my 1.2 mile swim in June having a great time. Thanks!
@@CoachRobbBeams I've come late to swimming and although I'm improving I power through the laps but struggle due to dragging my legs. Your explanation may be the key that unlocks this for me. So fingers crossed, and head down 😉
@@lauriestevenson4183 I wish you lived near Orlando, I am hosting a 1 on 1 swim workshop this weekend! Capture a video and send it to me (contact@coachrobb.com) and I will take a look at it and provide you some feedback/focus.
@@CoachRobbBeams I wish I lived near Orlando too! I'm in Northern Ireland. Thanks very much, if I can I will but unfortunately our local pools don't allow any filming or photography at all. But I will try and apply what you've explained. Head down and chest down first is my 1st plan. Thanks again
@@lauriestevenson4183 Understood! Please keep me posted. Better yet, let me know if you want me to come over for a swim clinic. In all seriousness, I am available to do this if you can get a big enough group together to cover the costs.
What a fantastic series. I have been swimming for 6 months now, and recently I decided to seek some professional advice on improving my technique. So, I did what all intelligent people do: I turned to UA-cam, haha. After watching your Swimming 101 series, I moved onto the Drills playlist, before heading to the pool. I have noticed a huge improvement in my speed, with a marked reduction in my levels of exertion. Thank you very much for such a concise, well presented series.
Will do, thanks for the offer. I was having a little trouble with pencil drills; I remembered a comment you made about swimming with a tennis ball under your chin. As soon as I put that image in my head, my hips popped right up! Thanks!
Elodea-thank you for watching the video! Congrats on being willing to "learn" something new at the young age of 59! Please let me know if you have any questions or need any specific help. -Coach Robb
dona dreamy, I've been working on these drills from Coach Robb for about a week and my swimming has improved dramatically. The pull buoy works...period. rjd
Thank you for your comment! Think about keeping your legs straight (little to no knee bend) and kicking from your hips. I like to think about pushing the water down with my thighs - this keeps me from kicking too fast which will push your heart rate high (this creates a sense of desperation and you will pick your head up to breathe verses rotating). Please keep me posted.
I'm taking adult intermediate swim lessons at my local pool. Your videos have been an excellent supplement to those lessons. I'm heading over to the pool now and will try this drill!
Just like to add that these freestyle videos are the most helpful i've come across on this site. I have always struggled with the breathing but am slowly improving thanks to these tips.
Hi Coach Rabb. Thank you for these series of three videos I found them very helpful especially the one on breathing. I wish you could edit out the noise in this video from the radio or tv.....
@@CoachRobbBeams I would love to take you up on your offer. I want to swim with confidence and I would like to do it this summer. I'm able to do something's but I'm only confident under the following circumstances: in shallow water or pull buoy, fins or snorkel. If I swim 25m with no aids or tools I am spent. Do you have a set of drills I should use. Any help you can give I'll accept. Thanks. MikeMeachem
@@mikemeachem3445 Absolutely - send my assistant an email contact@coachrobb.com and I will send you some swim workouts and drills that you can do. I can also review any video of you swimming and provide you even more specific suggestions. Hope to hear from you soon!
As a recently reformed leg-sinker, what helped was recognizing my lungs as the pivot point and trying to get as much mass as I could out far out front of me (staying long) and at a bit of an angle into the water. If you get counterbalance in front, then you naturally even out. The pull buoy helps the positioning, but moreso after you recognize the balance you're trying to achieve. It's basically like a see-saw - add more length and weight to the "light" side vs. muscle up the heavy side.
Tim, thank you for your message. I would encourage you to add a u pull buoy in between you thighs to "teach" your body what it feels lilke to swim high in the water. Literally your neuromuscular system will begin to incorporate the feeling of being balanced. To keep you challenged, swim 100 yards with the pull buoy and then swim 100 yards without the pull buoy. Also, when you push off the wall, refrain from rushing your first stroke - feel for the glide when you push off. Pls keep me posted.
Hi Robb, I have been trying this in the pool and it works well. I don't always use the pull bouy and am combining it with the push and glide drill also to try and stay up. I'm getting farther each time before my legs naturally begin to slowly drop. Thanks for the help, I will keep you posted.
I am training for a tri and these videos are helping me a lot with my swimming. I don't have cardio problem but i suck at anything when my feet doesn't touch the ground. I don't think i have a proper kick, i use to do this move which looks like a criss/cross as a kid. Trying to change to a kick now, but don't know if it's good or bad. The second biggest one is the front/back balance. I'll try to press my chest as you suggested and will see how it goes. thanks for the videos !
Thanks Coach Rob for the tips in this video, it is so much better knowing that you only pull arm back only once you touch the water with opposite arm, good tip!!
Coach Robb - I think it would be really helpful if you numbered the videos in the title of them. That way - I can easily find the first video you keep talking about. Thanks!
Hi Robb, I'm trying to improve my technique and to stop fighting the water. I'm improving(slowly) but I do struggle with leg drop. I am practising your pencil drills and am getting a little better but I find when I loose momentum I drop from the waist down. Is their anything else I should do to improve or is it just time in the water and practice. Great videos I love the no nonsense and no buzz word to the point approach.
@greatraces Thank you for the advice. I borrowed a plastic ball from children's pool and put it under my chin. It was a bit slipperly and I let it go many times but I think I got your point! "Moving to each arm pit" is a great tip. I am now better than last time! Thank you sooooo much coach Robb!!!!!
Great question-it is not about a specific muscle, but rather a body position. Imagine that you are swimming downhill in the water. From your belly button up should be slighlty "tilted" down into the water. The tricky part is not pushing your head under the water (the water line should be slightly above your eye brows) with your upper body slightly tilted - these two things will help elevate your feet and hips. Please keep me posted on your progress. -Coach Robb
This is fantastic and useful information. I implemented the techniques for the first time on Friday, August 19th and they definitely made a difference.... Thanks Coach Robb!
Stephanie - thank you for watching and leaving a comment! I am thankful that you noticed an improvement in your swimming. Please let me know if you have any specific questions or need anything clarified in the future. -Coach Robb
+Robb Beams Another great session on Sunday. This body balance drill is pure gold. My next challenge is my kick. My ankles apparently need to be more pointed. Will look for another drill in this area on your site. I will look u up when in Florida.
Hi Rob new to your site love it, i have gone back to swimming after an accident in the water that has left me with a fear of deep water so for me I'm determined to deal with my anxiety as i love swimming. I understand that the anxiety i need to control although i feel that if i was more confidant in my swim that would help, also i still have a fear of the deep end even though i can swim and float. I have a kickboard to assist with my leg technique and your videos help a lot. Any amazing tips to controlling my fear of deep water and improving my technique and efficiency. Thanks Val
Thank you for your comment and welcome to the channel! I would strongly suggest that you swim down and back ONLY in the shallow area where you can comfortably stand. This will allow you to focus on swimming and the enjoyment it brings you. As your confidence increases in the water, you can move to swimming slightly further into the deep end (by a foot or two) with a lane line right next to you for safety. Give this a shot and let me know if this works for you!
Hi coach Robb. Thanks for uploading great videos. When I press my chest, my legs and hip stay on the surface on the water. But a problem is my head goes into too deep in the water (my head is completely in the water) and this makes breathing very difficult. I am not sure what I'm doing wrong... Could you give me an advice? Thank you.
Sophia-thank you for watching! Lie in the water with a kickboard between your chest and belly & work on "balancing". Once you are balanced, literally swim off of the board and see if you can maintain that high position in the water. Also, complete 10x pushing off of the wall and just focus on gliding on top of the water. Once you become comfortable - add 1 or 2 strokes and see if you can stay on top of the water. These are intended to improve your muscle memory. Please keep me posted-Thx
Hi coach, i'm taking gym and i *had* to swim. I've always been afraid of the water and how Heavy it feels the moment i get in. I just started watching your videos yesterday and your instructions are just perfect!😃 I gathered courage today and guess what? I was able to do the kicks without holding on to anything. At first, all i could do was *walk* in the pool. lol -----Thank you. I'l keep watching more.
Thank you for your note! Strive to stay balanced and horizontal in the water, there needs to be balance from your chest to your heels. To help develop the feeling of "balance" lay on a kickboard and place your face in the water. Once you feel balanced, swim off of the board and see how long you can maintain the "balanced feeling". Repeat 10 times and then swim with a pull buoy. Do this at least once every time you swim. Please keep me posted. -Coach Robb
Great video. I've tried the pull buoy, fins and catch up drills to help me with my balance but my legs still sink! I had an underwater video shot and yep,they sink. I haven't discovered how to fix but I'll keep working on it per your suggestions. Thanks!
Thailand-beautiful country! When you get back to San Diego, I would love to come out and train with you in the triathlon hot bed of the US! -Coach Robb
Chuck-congratulations! I personally enjoy the 70.3 distance myself and would love to help you in any way with your training. Just let me know if there are any other areas that you would like some guidence. Please keep in touch. -Coach Robb
Hey Coach, I'm in my 30s and I've just started to learn how to swim and your tips are fantastic. Right now I am having trouble rotating my hips in freestyle and keeping my hips afloat. I'm gonna incorporate your tennis ball tip with my buoy exercises and other stuff that I am trying. I'm not sure how to press my chest but I am gonna try the kick board thing too tonight. Thanks a lot. btw won't the kickboard slip when we turn to breathe?
Thank you a thousand times for your videos. I participated in my first sprint triathlon last year (my ultimate goal is an IronMan). Unfortunately, the swim portion did not go so well. I've used your drills with each session and noticed a significant improvement. My confidence has boosted 100%! I alternate the drills with and without fins or pool buoy to see my progress. When should I start working on distance?
+Angela Francis - Angela, congratulations with your triathlon journey!! I am not sure how much distance you are swimming and the frequency of swimming, but in general I would only add 10% per month as a general rule of thumb. Please keep me posted if you have more questions or need anything clarified. -Coach Robb
I am glad you experienced that subtle drill that yields great results - if you get a chance to actually put a tennis ball under your chin, you will be amazed. Keep me posted. -Coach Robb
This is a great series of videos, but try as I may, I cannot understand what you mean by pushing your chest down. How do you do that or more specifically, what muscles do you use to push your chest down? Thanks!
Robb, great stuff here. I am teaching a friend how to swim and I am trying to help him with the basics. He definitely struggles with staying level in the water. He also is 240lbs. Any tips you have for heavier people and staying level or same principles? Thanks!
+Chris Sankey Thank you for watching. For heavier people, I would suggest adding a kickboard under their chest to help them "feel" the balance. Please let me know if you have any questions. -Coach Robb
Nice series of drills Robb. I've only just got back into swimming for recreation and to get my 3 year old used to the water. I never been properly taught the front crawl and I am a messy swimmer as my wife tells me, (she is a much better swimmer with good technique). So making a concentrated effort to rebuild the stroke from the ground up and enjoy this sport and not blow up after 2 lengths! What drill do you recommend to start with? Cheers
Thanks coach robb for this amazing videos tomorrow i will start training by your videos, Last month i was swimming everyday but when i enter my nose into the water cause i want to close my head with a water comes in to my throat so how can i stop letting water to comes in,ThankYou anyway
+iosgamehacker ak Thank you for watching. Please work on holding onto the side of the pool and bob your head where you exhale your air as you lower your head below the water. This will help you with your timing of exhalation.. Please keep me posted on your progress. -Coach Robb
Great videos! Keep watching this one in particular, but still can't get my chest/head high enough in the water to take a breath during the freestyle stroke :( Any advice?! I can't just seem to keep my body just below the surface of the water, my entire body is just completed submerged so can't get my head up to breathe...please help!!!!
Mentally focus on "pressing" your chest towards the bottome of the pool. A trick to try is swimming down the lane with a kick board under your chest. Don't let it slip out from under you when you swim - you will "feel" the pressure you are looking to create. Please keep me posted if your hips continue to sink. -Robb
Hi Robb Thanks for your great stuff. This kicking of my feet is still an issue for me. Once i start swimming, i forget about my feet and then my body started to go down from the back, unable to maintain my body position because i simply forget to kick. Any tips, Robb. Thanks
Chafik, You want to let your feet maintain a 3 beat kick with your toes pointing back. To keep your hips and feet elevated, focus on pressing your chest down. I have a video about Swimming 101 - Parts 1, 2 and 3. Please let me know if you have any questions. -Coach Robb
Please try the tennis ball under the chin drill. This works really well seetting up your body in an ideal position while still being able to breathe. Please keep me posted on your progress! -Coach Robb
Coach Rob, I understand this post is from a long time ago, but if you happen to be reading...I assume your core and glutes are tight all the time you are swimming freestyle? It that correct? Thank you in advance!
Hey Robb great tips but i have a question...when i try doing the "pencil drill" if i start to move my legs i start moving towards the blue line even if my arms are stretched all the out...any pointers?
+Jason murphy The slight kicking of your feet/legs isn't an issue. The goal is to be completely horizontal in the water prior to pulling through with your arms. Please let me know if you have any questions or need anything clarified. -Coach Robb
OK, I´ll try pulling of the chest in a couple of hours, see if it works. I have been struggling with sinking legs for a year. I am OK on short distances, once I start losing speed on longer distances, I start sinking...
+BikerProfesor - thanks for your message. When you feel your hips dropping, stop swimming and get into a pencil drill; throw in some catch up drills and then resume your swimming. Please keep me posted on your progress. -Coach Robb
Thanks for the guide. When i learn to balance my body, my feet always keep sinking down. what i do.... i ask my friend pull me forwards while i kicking my feet. After sometimes, i ask them to release me n let my body have feeling of "gliding" in water. Then, my body get use to it.
Avin-to help keep your feet afloat, kick lightly but don't overkick (this will drive up your heart rate and you will rush your breathing - which causes your feet to sink). Allow your feet to kick lightly and point your feet back (to create a fin). Please keep me posted if this helps. -Coach Robb
Robb Beams Thanks coach. Now i can swim more relaxed with less burden to kick. My other problem is how to breath while swimming properly, i had watched the video about this. However, my head not enough to raise above the water surface to get some air. Then, i just decided hold breath for long time and make feel fatigue to continue again enjoy my swimming time.
Thank you for your comment - I agree 100% with you! I filmed this a few years back with a Flip camera. I hope you find the new videos much better! Thank you for your feedback. -Coach Robb
hi coach, at the moment I'm so upset about my swimming. I still can't swim. last time you told me to use pull buoy. but my coaches don't like it. so they asked me to hold the kick board and try to swim myself. but my legs always stop kicking when i breath. one of my coach helped me to swim while he supporting me holding my elbow. then I can manage. please help me, and give me a tip for swim alone when I'm using a kickboard. I'm so sad, cz all other adults who joined with me successful. thanks!
Thank you for your comments and kind words! I am based in Orlando Florida. I would be happy to look at your breathing patterns - simply have someone film you while you are swimming and upload to UA-cam. I will take a look at the video and provided you immediate feedback on how to make breathing easier for you. I look forward to your video - please email me directly with the link once you have uploaded. Thank you! -Coach Robb
Hi Robb Sir, Sir whenever I try to kick and move my hands together i am not able to get proper coordination. My legs stop kicking or sometime it is just imperfect kick and thus i drag a lot. Can you guide me how to get hand leg coordination. Thanks JP
I can't even get the hips outside the surface of the water while floating like a pencil, but I tried to push the chest down. Lower body is still below the surface of the water but at least not sinking.
If you could upload to your channel and let me know, I can review and post comments directly below the video. Please let me know when you get it uploaded. Thank you for doing this! -Coach Robb
Betty-thank you for the kind words and for watching the videos! I am excited that you enjoy swimming without struggling. Please keep me posted if I can help your swimming in any way. -Coach Robb
Coach Rob, I've been swimming for about a year and looking for correct form. One issue I'm having is that my the top of my feet hurt and my ankles feel week. This week I feel like my foot is not quite hitting the ground right, as if maybe my knee may be turned a bit. I'm wondering if you have videos about strengthening the knee, ankle and feet. If not, can you make a video addressing this? I've been using the kick board for about 2 months and am trying to get correct form. ( I am female, 49, and overweight, looking to slim down and tone up.)
Suzu-thank you for watching and dropping a question! To strengthen your knees, you need to balance the strength between your quads (front of your thighs) and your hamstrings (back of your upper leg). I have two videos for you to look up: Air Squats and Hamstring Press on fitball. You can complete the hamstring press on a chair (you don't need to have a fit ball). Also, visit with a qualified massage therapist to ensure that you flexibility is not causing your pain (Note: muscles pull on attachments and make the joints "hurt"). Please keep me posted on your progress or if you have any additional questions. If you would like me to work directly with you regarding your weight loss, please don't hesitate to contact my office. -Coach Robb
Sir, hi i am pranil... sir i want to share my problem with you.. hope you will guide the best... sir when i swim.. my legs touch the floor always.. i am not able to maintain body balance ... i cant swim with whole of my body at top surface... and when i try to float i sink in water...
Thank you for the questions! To help you press your chest while you rotate, look straight down as you swim freestyle. The slower your rotate and "press" your chest the faster your will create the "balance" we are looking for. Please post your results after you give this a try. -Coach Robb
Hi coach thanks so much for your training techniques. I'm in my 40's just got back into swimming after 30 years. I was never able to swim correctly, but I want to finally learn. My top half is not too bad, but my waist and legs drop like I'm made of bricks.so I am so inefficient swimming. I will try your pencil technique and use a swimming aid like pull boy. Is the pencil technique the best drill to get your bottom half to learn how to float? Thanks again
Great job! Please capture a film of you swimming and I can provide you some feedback on what you can work on to improve your overall swimming ability. Just let me know when you get something captured. Thanks! -Coach Robb
The quickest way to "feel" this sensation is to put a kickboard under your chest and float on your belly. You will feel your hips rise as you "push down" on the board. After you float for 5-10 seconds, try to swim off of the board holding the same "pressure" with your chest to the water. Please give this a try and let me know how it works for you. Also, if you want to send me a video of you swimming, I would be happy to review and provide you feedback. Good luck on your test!
This is by far the greatest explanation about body balance in the water on UA-cam! Perfect demonstration and great advice! Thank you coach Robb!
Coach Robb Beams Where can I find a free structural plan (with appropriate drills) for a sprint triathlon?
Great tapes. I'm 71 and spent a lifetime doing what I call "Survival" swimming, head thrashing, etc. I got this far without drowning, but there has never been any real joy in the act of swimming, until now. I am teaching myself, via your taped lessons, to swim properly. I'm retired, have the time and close a pool, and live in Florida, so thanks so much for the tips.
+John Payne Awesome job with your swimming! Please keep me posted if i can help in any way.
-Coach Robb
I'm a beginner swimmer (but experienced runner) and your videos are the most helpful thing I've found in my search for help with technique. The pitfalls you mention (head up, hips down, arms faster, gasping for breath) exactly describe my last couple of swims at the gym. Thanks for the detailed teaching of technique. I will use your lessons in my training.
one day of implementing your drills has DRASTICALLY improved my swims. I took a handful of private lessons and no one broke down the fundamentals of hydrodynamics like you have. I breathe very easily now and am not winded after a lap or two.
Hi Coach, wanted you to know your videos helped me out. I signed up for IM Hawaii 70.3 in June, but couldn't swim. I was following the TI video program and making a little progress, but my balance (and therefore comfort) were poor.
I searched for balance drills and found you. The pencil drill and being long in the water dramatically improved my comfort and efficiency on the first day (only 2 wks before the race)
Made it through my 1.2 mile swim in June having a great time. Thanks!
this is very helpful and clear, thank you coach
Thank you for watching!
Very clear. Best explanation I've heard yet 👍
Thank you for watching and the kind words!
@@CoachRobbBeams I've come late to swimming and although I'm improving I power through the laps but struggle due to dragging my legs. Your explanation may be the key that unlocks this for me. So fingers crossed, and head down 😉
@@lauriestevenson4183 I wish you lived near Orlando, I am hosting a 1 on 1 swim workshop this weekend! Capture a video and send it to me (contact@coachrobb.com) and I will take a look at it and provide you some feedback/focus.
@@CoachRobbBeams I wish I lived near Orlando too! I'm in Northern Ireland. Thanks very much, if I can I will but unfortunately our local pools don't allow any filming or photography at all. But I will try and apply what you've explained. Head down and chest down first is my 1st plan. Thanks again
@@lauriestevenson4183 Understood! Please keep me posted. Better yet, let me know if you want me to come over for a swim clinic. In all seriousness, I am available to do this if you can get a big enough group together to cover the costs.
What a fantastic series. I have been swimming for 6 months now, and recently I decided to seek some professional advice on improving my technique. So, I did what all intelligent people do: I turned to UA-cam, haha.
After watching your Swimming 101 series, I moved onto the Drills playlist, before heading to the pool. I have noticed a huge improvement in my speed, with a marked reduction in my levels of exertion.
Thank you very much for such a concise, well presented series.
Will do, thanks for the offer. I was having a little trouble with pencil drills; I remembered a comment you made about swimming with a tennis ball under your chin. As soon as I put that image in my head, my hips popped right up! Thanks!
Thanks coach Rob. I'm learning to swim @ 59 yrs of age. Your instructions are clear and give me hope for becoming a strong swimmer one day!
Elodea-thank you for watching the video! Congrats on being willing to "learn" something new at the young age of 59! Please let me know if you have any questions or need any specific help.
-Coach Robb
dona dreamy,
I've been working on these drills from Coach Robb for about a week and my swimming has improved dramatically. The pull buoy works...period.
rjd
Thank you for your comment! Think about keeping your legs straight (little to no knee bend) and kicking from your hips. I like to think about pushing the water down with my thighs - this keeps me from kicking too fast which will push your heart rate high (this creates a sense of desperation and you will pick your head up to breathe verses rotating). Please keep me posted.
I'm taking adult intermediate swim lessons at my local pool. Your videos have been an excellent supplement to those lessons. I'm heading over to the pool now and will try this drill!
Just like to add that these freestyle videos are the most helpful i've come across on this site. I have always struggled with the breathing but am slowly improving thanks to these tips.
+David Tranter Thank you for watching and keep me posted if I can help in any way with your program.
-Coach Robb
Hi Coach Rabb. Thank you for these series of three videos I found them very helpful especially the one on breathing. I wish you could edit out the noise in this video from the radio or tv.....
Thanks I have gotten a.lot from your drills. Learning as a senior it takes time but I get a lot of what you're saying. Thanks
Thank you for watching! Please let me know if I can help in any way!
@@CoachRobbBeams
I would love to take you up on your offer. I want to swim with confidence and I would like to do it this summer. I'm able to do something's but I'm only confident under the following circumstances: in shallow water or pull buoy, fins or snorkel. If I swim 25m with no aids or tools I am spent. Do you have a set of drills I should use. Any help you can give I'll accept.
Thanks. MikeMeachem
@@mikemeachem3445 Absolutely - send my assistant an email contact@coachrobb.com and I will send you some swim workouts and drills that you can do. I can also review any video of you swimming and provide you even more specific suggestions. Hope to hear from you soon!
Basic drills for the beginner, love it.
This makes so much sense! Can't wait to get in the pool tomorrow!
Thanks Robb!!!!!
As a recently reformed leg-sinker, what helped was recognizing my lungs as the pivot point and trying to get as much mass as I could out far out front of me (staying long) and at a bit of an angle into the water. If you get counterbalance in front, then you naturally even out. The pull buoy helps the positioning, but moreso after you recognize the balance you're trying to achieve. It's basically like a see-saw - add more length and weight to the "light" side vs. muscle up the heavy side.
just tried the drill in the pool, it's awesome. gives you a good feel for the water flowing around your body.
Tim, thank you for your message. I would encourage you to add a u pull buoy in between you thighs to "teach" your body what it feels lilke to swim high in the water. Literally your neuromuscular system will begin to incorporate the feeling of being balanced. To keep you challenged, swim 100 yards with the pull buoy and then swim 100 yards without the pull buoy. Also, when you push off the wall, refrain from rushing your first stroke - feel for the glide when you push off. Pls keep me posted.
Hi Robb, I have been trying this in the pool and it works well. I don't always use the pull bouy and am combining it with the push and glide drill also to try and stay up. I'm getting farther each time before my legs naturally begin to slowly drop. Thanks for the help, I will keep you posted.
Gonna try out the cues coach Robb shares
Thanks for posting these great informative videos. Can't wait to take it to the pool.
Great, thanks. Traveling in Thailand for now, so taking a break from race training, but hope to be back at it in San Diego in 2014.
Thank you for the idea! Have you had a chance to view our various playlists by chance? They were designed to help find the referenced videos.
your video is very clear, by the way do you have a video instruction for initial stage learning?
Thanks Coach Robb; I like the way you teach! Thank-you
Thank you for the kind worlds and taking the time to watch!
The cues are on point
I am training for a tri and these videos are helping me a lot with my swimming. I don't have cardio problem but i suck at anything when my feet doesn't touch the ground. I don't think i have a proper kick, i use to do this move which looks like a criss/cross as a kid. Trying to change to a kick now, but don't know if it's good or bad. The second biggest one is the front/back balance. I'll try to press my chest as you suggested and will see how it goes. thanks for the videos !
Thanks Coach Rob for the tips in this video, it is so much better knowing that you only pull arm back only once you touch the water with opposite arm, good tip!!
Aaron Martinez Thanks for watching! I am glad it helped.
Coach Robb - I think it would be really helpful if you numbered the videos in the title of them. That way - I can easily find the first video you keep talking about. Thanks!
Chuck-thank you for your post and revelation! Keep up the great work.
-Coach Robb
Hi Robb, I'm trying to improve my technique and to stop fighting the water. I'm improving(slowly) but I do struggle with leg drop. I am practising your pencil drills and am getting a little better but I find when I loose momentum I drop from the waist down. Is their anything else I should do to improve or is it just time in the water and practice. Great videos I love the no nonsense and no buzz word to the point approach.
I'm in Scotland training to get into Glasgow school of sports using swimming so this really helped a lot
Thanks for watching! Please let me know if you have any questions or need anything clarified.
-Coach Robb
@greatraces Thank you for the advice. I borrowed a plastic ball from children's pool and put it under my chin. It was a bit slipperly and I let it go many times but I think I got your point! "Moving to each arm pit" is a great tip. I am now better than last time! Thank you sooooo much coach Robb!!!!!
Great question-it is not about a specific muscle, but rather a body position. Imagine that you are swimming downhill in the water. From your belly button up should be slighlty "tilted" down into the water. The tricky part is not pushing your head under the water (the water line should be slightly above your eye brows) with your upper body slightly tilted - these two things will help elevate your feet and hips. Please keep me posted on your progress.
-Coach Robb
Thanks for your tips, very helpful
+fmcs - Thanks for watching! Please let me know if I can help your program in any way.
-Coach Robb
This is fantastic and useful information. I implemented the techniques for the first time on Friday, August 19th and they definitely made a difference.... Thanks Coach Robb!
Stephanie - thank you for watching and leaving a comment! I am thankful that you noticed an improvement in your swimming. Please let me know if you have any specific questions or need anything clarified in the future.
-Coach Robb
+Robb Beams Another great session on Sunday. This body balance drill is pure gold. My next challenge is my kick. My ankles apparently need to be more pointed. Will look for another drill in this area on your site. I will look u up when in Florida.
Hi Coach !Appreciated the useful advises it does help me a lots to improve my swim technique!!Your advise crossed the Atlantic and even more !Merci !
Thank you for watching!
-Coach Robb
Video is uploaded. I'm going to do some different views this week....
Thanks for the help Coach Robb!
Hi Rob new to your site love it, i have gone back to swimming after an accident in the water that has left me with a fear of deep water so for me I'm determined to deal with my anxiety as i love swimming. I understand that the anxiety i need to control although i feel that if i was more confidant in my swim that would help, also i still have a fear of the deep end even though i can swim and float. I have a kickboard to assist with my leg technique and your videos help a lot. Any amazing tips to controlling my fear of deep water and improving my technique and efficiency. Thanks Val
Thank you for your comment and welcome to the channel! I would strongly suggest that you swim down and back ONLY in the shallow area where you can comfortably stand. This will allow you to focus on swimming and the enjoyment it brings you. As your confidence increases in the water, you can move to swimming slightly further into the deep end (by a foot or two) with a lane line right next to you for safety.
Give this a shot and let me know if this works for you!
Wonderful video. Great explanation accompanied by logic.
Thank you for watching and taking the time to drop a message!
-Coach Robb
Hi coach Robb. Thanks for uploading great videos.
When I press my chest, my legs and hip stay on the surface on the water. But a problem is my head goes into too deep in the water (my head is completely in the water) and this makes breathing very difficult. I am not sure what I'm doing wrong... Could you give me an advice? Thank you.
Sophia-thank you for watching! Lie in the water with a kickboard between your chest and belly & work on "balancing". Once you are balanced, literally swim off of the board and see if you can maintain that high position in the water. Also, complete 10x pushing off of the wall and just focus on gliding on top of the water. Once you become comfortable - add 1 or 2 strokes and see if you can stay on top of the water. These are intended to improve your muscle memory. Please keep me posted-Thx
Hi coach, i'm taking gym and i *had* to swim. I've always been afraid of the water and how Heavy it feels the moment i get in. I just started watching your videos yesterday and your instructions are just perfect!😃
I gathered courage today and guess what? I was able to do the kicks without holding on to anything. At first, all i could do was *walk* in the pool. lol -----Thank you. I'l keep watching more.
Thank you Coach Robb.
Thank you for your note! Strive to stay balanced and horizontal in the water, there needs to be balance from your chest to your heels. To help develop the feeling of "balance" lay on a kickboard and place your face in the water. Once you feel balanced, swim off of the board and see how long you can maintain the "balanced feeling". Repeat 10 times and then swim with a pull buoy. Do this at least once every time you swim. Please keep me posted.
-Coach Robb
thank you robb, I improved a lot :)
goodness, you made it look so easy!
Thanks for the compliment - it will come to you too as you practice more and more. Please keep up the work...it will pay off!
-Coach Robb
yes, sir. practically doing it on daily basis, except for weekends, maybe. too crowded. i think i'm pressuring myself a bit too much, sometimes.
Great video. I've tried the pull buoy, fins and catch up drills to help me with my balance but my legs still sink! I had an underwater video shot and yep,they sink. I haven't discovered how to fix but I'll keep working on it per your suggestions. Thanks!
Thailand-beautiful country! When you get back to San Diego, I would love to come out and train with you in the triathlon hot bed of the US!
-Coach Robb
Thanks coach Robb ur a big help I will let u know how am I doing
+Nicole Sanchez - How is your swimming developing?
-Coach Robb
Chuck-congratulations! I personally enjoy the 70.3 distance myself and would love to help you in any way with your training. Just let me know if there are any other areas that you would like some guidence. Please keep in touch.
-Coach Robb
your videos are amazing! Thank you very much for sharing :)
+Peace B Thank you for watching! Please let me know if I can help your program at all.
-Coach Robb
Very nice :-) I'm going to practice that, thanks coach.
Thank you. Learnt a lot :)
Danie-thank you for watching! If you have any specific frustrations in the water, please don't hesitate to drop me an email.
-Coach Robb
I'm trying to advance beyond the "dog paddle from one side to the other" method... thanks for the vid!
David-thank you for watching the video. Please let me know if I can be of further assistance with your swimming progress. -Coach Robb
Hey Coach, I'm in my 30s and I've just started to learn how to swim and your tips are fantastic. Right now I am having trouble rotating my hips in freestyle and keeping my hips afloat. I'm gonna incorporate your tennis ball tip with my buoy exercises and other stuff that I am trying. I'm not sure how to press my chest but I am gonna try the kick board thing too tonight. Thanks a lot. btw won't the kickboard slip when we turn to breathe?
Hi Coach, How do you rotate your hips? What part of the body should i concentrate on to rotate my hips? And should i rotate when i am not breathing?
Thank you a thousand times for your videos. I participated in my first sprint triathlon last year (my ultimate goal is an IronMan). Unfortunately, the swim portion did not go so well. I've used your drills with each session and noticed a significant improvement. My confidence has boosted 100%! I alternate the drills with and without fins or pool buoy to see my progress. When should I start working on distance?
+Angela Francis - Angela, congratulations with your triathlon journey!! I am not sure how much distance you are swimming and the frequency of swimming, but in general I would only add 10% per month as a general rule of thumb. Please keep me posted if you have more questions or need anything clarified.
-Coach Robb
I am glad you experienced that subtle drill that yields great results - if you get a chance to actually put a tennis ball under your chin, you will be amazed. Keep me posted.
-Coach Robb
This is a great series of videos, but try as I may, I cannot understand what you mean by pushing your chest down. How do you do that or more specifically, what muscles do you use to push your chest down? Thanks!
Robb, great stuff here. I am teaching a friend how to swim and I am trying to help him with the basics. He definitely struggles with staying level in the water. He also is 240lbs. Any tips you have for heavier people and staying level or same principles? Thanks!
+Chris Sankey Thank you for watching. For heavier people, I would suggest adding a kickboard under their chest to help them "feel" the balance. Please let me know if you have any questions.
-Coach Robb
wondering which muscle should I use to push my chest down? thanks
thank you rob, u save me
Nice series of drills Robb. I've only just got back into swimming for recreation and to get my 3 year old used to the water. I never been properly taught the front crawl and I am a messy swimmer as my wife tells me, (she is a much better swimmer with good technique). So making a concentrated effort to rebuild the stroke from the ground up and enjoy this sport and not blow up after 2 lengths! What drill do you recommend to start with?
Cheers
I would start with catch up drill first for sure! Please let me know how that drill works for you!
-Coach Robb
Thank's you was good love it!
Thank you for watching! Please let me know if I can help your program in any way.
-Coach Robb
Thanks coach robb for this amazing videos tomorrow i will start training by your videos, Last month i was swimming everyday but when i enter my nose into the water cause i want to close my head with a water comes in to my throat so how can i stop letting water to comes in,ThankYou anyway
+iosgamehacker ak Thank you for watching. Please work on holding onto the side of the pool and bob your head where you exhale your air as you lower your head below the water. This will help you with your timing of exhalation.. Please keep me posted on your progress.
-Coach Robb
Great videos! Keep watching this one in particular, but still can't get my chest/head high enough in the water to take a breath during the freestyle stroke :(
Any advice?! I can't just seem to keep my body just below the surface of the water, my entire body is just completed submerged so can't get my head up to breathe...please help!!!!
Noce video and thx for the tipd
Good tips. Handsome guy!
Mentally focus on "pressing" your chest towards the bottome of the pool. A trick to try is swimming down the lane with a kick board under your chest. Don't let it slip out from under you when you swim - you will "feel" the pressure you are looking to create. Please keep me posted if your hips continue to sink.
-Robb
Hi Robb
Thanks for your great stuff. This kicking of my feet is still an issue for me. Once i start swimming, i forget about my feet and then my body started to go down from the back, unable to maintain my body position because i simply forget to kick. Any tips, Robb. Thanks
Chafik,
You want to let your feet maintain a 3 beat kick with your toes pointing back. To keep your hips and feet elevated, focus on pressing your chest down. I have a video about Swimming 101 - Parts 1, 2 and 3. Please let me know if you have any questions.
-Coach Robb
Please try the tennis ball under the chin drill. This works really well seetting up your body in an ideal position while still being able to breathe. Please keep me posted on your progress!
-Coach Robb
So helpful, but the noise in the background is so distracting!
Coach Rob, I understand this post is from a long time ago, but if you happen to be reading...I assume your core and glutes are tight all the time you are swimming freestyle? It that correct? Thank you in advance!
Hey Coach Robb!
I have some video for you to review, how should I send it?
Thanks,
rjd
im from philippines and i dont know how to balance my body in water my chest up but my feet goes down i need your helo sir please help me
Coach - as several others mentioned, when we do this drill and raise your hips we cant breathe properly as our heads are lower than usual, thoughts?
i want a coach for teaching swimming
Hey Robb great tips but i have a question...when i try doing the "pencil drill" if i start to move my legs i start moving towards the blue line even if my arms are stretched all the out...any pointers?
+Jason murphy The slight kicking of your feet/legs isn't an issue. The goal is to be completely horizontal in the water prior to pulling through with your arms. Please let me know if you have any questions or need anything clarified.
-Coach Robb
Tnx Coach Robb!
It really helps alot!
OK, I´ll try pulling of the chest in a couple of hours, see if it works. I have been struggling with sinking legs for a year. I am OK on short distances, once I start losing speed on longer distances, I start sinking...
+BikerProfesor - thanks for your message. When you feel your hips dropping, stop swimming and get into a pencil drill; throw in some catch up drills and then resume your swimming. Please keep me posted on your progress.
-Coach Robb
Thanks coach :) Leaving to hit the water... :)
Thanks for the guide. When i learn to balance my body, my feet always keep sinking down. what i do.... i ask my friend pull me forwards while i kicking my feet. After sometimes, i ask them to release me n let my body have feeling of "gliding" in water. Then, my body get use to it.
Avin-to help keep your feet afloat, kick lightly but don't overkick (this will drive up your heart rate and you will rush your breathing - which causes your feet to sink). Allow your feet to kick lightly and point your feet back (to create a fin). Please keep me posted if this helps.
-Coach Robb
Robb Beams Thanks coach. Now i can swim more relaxed with less burden to kick. My other problem is how to breath while swimming properly, i had watched the video about this. However, my head not enough to raise above the water surface to get some air. Then, i just decided hold breath for long time and make feel fatigue to continue again enjoy my swimming time.
Thank you for your comment - I agree 100% with you! I filmed this a few years back with a Flip camera. I hope you find the new videos much better! Thank you for your feedback.
-Coach Robb
hi coach, at the moment I'm so upset about my swimming. I still can't swim. last time you told me to use pull buoy. but my coaches don't like it. so they asked me to hold the kick board and try to swim myself. but my legs always stop kicking when i breath. one of my coach helped me to swim while he supporting me holding my elbow. then I can manage. please help me, and give me a tip for swim alone when I'm using a kickboard. I'm so sad, cz all other adults who joined with me successful. thanks!
Thank you for your comments and kind words! I am based in Orlando Florida. I would be happy to look at your breathing patterns - simply have someone film you while you are swimming and upload to UA-cam. I will take a look at the video and provided you immediate feedback on how to make breathing easier for you. I look forward to your video - please email me directly with the link once you have uploaded. Thank you!
-Coach Robb
Hi Robb Sir,
Sir whenever I try to kick and move my hands together i am not able to get proper coordination.
My legs stop kicking or sometime it is just imperfect kick and thus i drag a lot.
Can you guide me how to get hand leg coordination.
Thanks
JP
yo
Man, I not good in swimming, even on floating.I alway can't float longer, my leg always go down by itself, any tip about it?
I can't even get the hips outside the surface of the water while floating like a pencil, but I tried to push the chest down. Lower body is still below the surface of the water but at least not sinking.
If you could upload to your channel and let me know, I can review and post comments directly below the video. Please let me know when you get it uploaded. Thank you for doing this!
-Coach Robb
Betty-thank you for the kind words and for watching the videos! I am excited that you enjoy swimming without struggling. Please keep me posted if I can help your swimming in any way.
-Coach Robb
Coach Rob, I've been swimming for about a year and looking for correct form. One issue I'm having is that my the top of my feet hurt and my ankles feel week. This week I feel like my foot is not quite hitting the ground right, as if maybe my knee may be turned a bit. I'm wondering if you have videos about strengthening the knee, ankle and feet. If not, can you make a video addressing this? I've been using the kick board for about 2 months and am trying to get correct form. ( I am female, 49, and overweight, looking to slim down and tone up.)
Suzu-thank you for watching and dropping a question! To strengthen your knees, you need to balance the strength between your quads (front of your thighs) and your hamstrings (back of your upper leg). I have two videos for you to look up: Air Squats and Hamstring Press on fitball. You can complete the hamstring press on a chair (you don't need to have a fit ball). Also, visit with a qualified massage therapist to ensure that you flexibility is not causing your pain (Note: muscles pull on attachments and make the joints "hurt"). Please keep me posted on your progress or if you have any additional questions. If you would like me to work directly with you regarding your weight loss, please don't hesitate to contact my office.
-Coach Robb
Thank you so much!
Tips
Sir, hi i am pranil... sir i want to share my problem with you.. hope you will guide the best... sir when i swim.. my legs touch the floor always.. i am not able to maintain body balance ... i cant swim with whole of my body at top surface... and when i try to float i sink in water...
Thank you for the questions! To help you press your chest while you rotate, look straight down as you swim freestyle. The slower your rotate and "press" your chest the faster your will create the "balance" we are looking for. Please post your results after you give this a try.
-Coach Robb
Hi coach thanks so much for your training techniques. I'm in my 40's just got back into swimming after 30 years. I was never able to swim correctly, but I want to finally learn. My top half is not too bad, but my waist and legs drop like I'm made of bricks.so I am so inefficient swimming. I will try your pencil technique and use a swimming aid like pull boy. Is the pencil technique the best drill to get your bottom half to learn how to float? Thanks again
Great job! Please capture a film of you swimming and I can provide you some feedback on what you can work on to improve your overall swimming ability. Just let me know when you get something captured. Thanks!
-Coach Robb
The quickest way to "feel" this sensation is to put a kickboard under your chest and float on your belly. You will feel your hips rise as you "push down" on the board. After you float for 5-10 seconds, try to swim off of the board holding the same "pressure" with your chest to the water. Please give this a try and let me know how it works for you. Also, if you want to send me a video of you swimming, I would be happy to review and provide you feedback. Good luck on your test!