HOW CHAMPIONS DO IT

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

SAMANTHA RILEY'S FULL STROKE AT 70 m OF HER SIXTH PLACE 100 m BREASTSTROKE RACE AT THE 1998 PERTH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Each frame is .1 second apart. The reason for presenting Samantha Riley in this forum is that she has been World Champion and world record holder. She is the reigning Pan Pacific champion. Her swims at Perth were "disappointments" and were largely attributed to the after effects of tonsillitis. However, her times still do not match those of 1994 and it is worthwhile to evaluate her stroke to determine if there are any possible technical faults that might have stalled her progress.

This series of frames is from the 100 m final at the Perth World Championships. Samantha Riley led until about 15 meters from the finish to eventually come sixth in a blanket finish. Her time was 1:08.80.

Notable Features

Samantha Riley's stroke demonstrates several detrimental faults that if corrected could produce great improvements.

The exceptional vertical movements of the hips and head/shoulders produce a "rocker" motion that causes extreme wave resistance as well as increasing frontal resistance. If the hips were to remain stationary and breathing occurred through hyperextension of the thoracic and cervical areas of the spine, streamlining would be enhanced. Samantha's undesirable movements are particularly costly in energy consumption and movement efficiency. They are initiated by excessive diving of the head and shoulders at the end of the arm recovery and in the early stages of the outward scull.

The arm recovery under water is symbolic of the end of the short-lived "over-the-water" recovery that was popular only a few years ago.

In this swimmer's stroke there is a long period with no propulsion. The length of time taken to return the head and shoulders after breathing is too long and extends the detrimental effects of disrupted streamlining.

Several improvements are possible in this stroke. They would likely produce performance time improvements of a significant nature.

Samantha Riley

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