HOW CHAMPIONS DO IT

Researched, produced, and prepared by Brent S. Rushall, Ph.D., R.Psy.

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PAUL BIEDERMANN AT 60 m OF HIS WORLD RECORD GOLD MEDAL 200 m FREESTYLE RACE AT THE 2009 ROME WORD CHAMPIONSHIPS (non-breathing stroke)

Each frame of this analysis is 0.1 seconds apart. Paul Biedermann's time for this 200 m freestyle event was 1:42.08.

This stroke analysis includes a moving sequence in real time, a moving sequence where each frame is displayed for .5 of a second, and still frames.

The following image sequence is in real time. It will play through 10 times and then stop. To repeat the sequence, click the browser's "refresh" or "reload" button.

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The following image sequence shows each frame for half a second. It will play through 10 times and then stop. To repeat the sequence, click the browser's "refresh" or "reload" button.

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At the end of the following narrative, each frame is illustrated in detail in a sequential collage.

Notable Features

In this series, the swimmer is well streamlined with the hips trailing in the shadow of the large-volumed torso.

The technique of this swimmer does not display a high degree of exemplary execution. The long inertial lag that occurs before the left arm-pull is one area that could be improved. While an inertial lag persists, the swimmer will slow markedly (Newton's First Law). The change-over from the left arm propulsion to right arm propulsion is much more admirable than the change from the right to left.

The rotation forward and lifting of the head, as well as looking forward, is an undesirable action. The head should have remained deep in the water throughout the total stroke since no breathing occurred. When not breathing, only movements in alignment with the spine (the longitudinal axis) are necessary.

Paul Biedermann appears to be a big man with a large torso. His streamlining utilizes that characteristic with the hips always in the torso's "shadow".

The kicking action clearly shows positions of the feet that create resistance. No frame shows either foot in any position where any appreciable propulsive force could be created even for the briefest of moments. The leg actions here serve to keep the swimmer streamlined by counterbalancing entering and exiting arms as well as assisting in hip rotation.

Paul biedermann

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