About Video Analysis:

I mentioned to a friend about the importance of video analysis. This is an e-mail he sent me after having someone do a video analysis on his swinmming.

"Ed,   

I did a video analysis of my swimming technique the other weekend. I was a little ambivalent about it at first, since I've been swimming for over 45 years and I was pretty sure I knew how to swim. :) However, I realized that even though I've been swimming for that long, and I even remember being on swim teams when I was a kid....I can't ever recall a single instance of someone actually analyzing my technique.  I figured it would be worth it to get an analysis done, as you're never too old too learn.  

I was filmed above and below water, from different angles and at different speeds. In a nutshell, I have mostly good technique, but it was fascinating to watch myself on tape, doing things I would have sworn I was not doing. :)  For instance, i watched my right hand repeatedly enter the water at the wrong position and wrong angle, which results in me losing about 30% of my "pull" on that side. I would have sworn I was not doing that, but it's hard to argue with video.  I was also torquing (rolling to much) too much when I was breathing, which causes my legs to spread, reducing streamlining.

All in all, I think it was money well spent. I've been concentrating on technique during my pool sessions, (which is something I have to admit that I had been skipping), along with speed drills and I've already noticed some marked improvement in my swim times and my "smoothness" in the water.  Now if only running and biking could be improved that easily. :) -- XXXX"