SWIMMING STYLES

Evening Star, Issue 21622, 18 January 1934, Page 4

SWIMMING STYLES

JAPANESE AND AMERICAN METHODS Replying to a letter from 31 r S. C. Miller, of the Oamaru Amateur Swimming Club, Mr Louis de B. Handley, the famous American Olympic coach,, makes interesting comment'on Japanese and American styles. He writes:— “ f studied very closely at Los Angeles the action of Japan’s best crawl swimmers and could discover no change from the stroke advocated for some years by America’s leading coaches. “ Takaishi, captain .of Nippon’s Olympic team, has since written a lengthy article in which.he claims the Japanese and American types of crawl differ on three important points. “ First, lie says, Americans believe tire body should have a slant in order to take advantage of the hydroplaning principle, while the Japanese fAvour absolutely horizontal position. “ Second, Americans start the arm drive forcefully, timing to gain forward propulsion so soon as the hand contacts the surface, while the Japanese method is to merely support the shoulders by downward pressure at first, exerting the major effort during the last instance of the drive. “ Third, Americans recommend as little lateral roll as possible, while Japanese are convinced that a certain amount of side-to.-side rolling enables the arms to more dully utilise their driving power. , “ On the first count, I need only mention that all the Nippon Olympians swam with head-partly out of the water and feet submerged, which is certainly not absolutely horizontal position. A line drawn from centre of head to meeting point of feet' in executing the crawl thrash will show a distinct slant, head higher than feet. “ Concerning the arm drive, though it is true that Americans seek to gain forward impetus as well as lift immediately upon applying pressure, and do so by holding the forearm inclined a little downward at the entry, they do not start their major effort before the mid-drive or likewise. “ As to the roll, it was a matter of comment that the Japs, at Los Angeles rolled less than the American contenders. In any case, I do not see Jiow the roll can help, as resistance to the water is increased and the amount of propulsion yielded hy the arms depends on their position relative to the body, and not upon the lateral slant of the body in the water. “ The Japs, themselves do not claim any improvement in the leg drive, and it 'is quite obvious that, regardless of the number of beats used, the natural correlation of the muscular system will cause the two rhythm-heats to ,be emphasised.”