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[Illustration: Sincerely and swimmingly yours,
James H. Sterrett (signature)
SPALDING “RED COVER” SERIES OF
ATHLETIC HANDBOOKS
NO. 37 R
HOW TO SWIM
A Practical Manual of Swimming by a
Practical Swimmer and a Guide
to the Novice as well as
the Expert
Showing the Easiest Methods of Learning to Swim, Dive
and Float, Various Kinds of Strokes, with Directions
and Illustrations for Acquiring the Crawl and
Trudge-Crawl Strokes. Also a Chapter
on Modern Life-Saving, and One for
Women and Girl Swimmers.
By
JAMES H. STERRETT
Organizer of the first American swimming club, authority on
swimming matters, and successful amateur coach.
REVISED AND ENLARGED EDITION
PUBLISHED BY
AMERICAN SPORTS PUBLISHING
COMPANY
NEW YORK CITY
COPYRIGHT 1917
BY
AMERICAN SPORTS PUBLISHING COMPANY
NEW YORK
James H. Sterrett
The author of this little volume originally compiled the material
at the request of the late James E. Sullivan, with whom he was
associated in Amateur Athletic Union affairs for a great many years
and therefore naturally takes a more than passing interest in the
book. With the great advance that has been manifested in swimming, it
became necessary to make a thorough revision of the entire matter,
at the same time adding a new chapter in life-saving methods which
should prove invaluable.
While the author disclaims any attempt of self-laudation, still for
the benefit of the many who will read this volume and would like
to know his capability for assuming to teach the modern methods of
swimming, the following letters, from prominent authorities on the
sport, are reproduced:
_L. deB. Handley, New York Athletic Club._
“Jim Sterrett may be counted among the pioneers of swimming in this
country. He was called the ‘Father of American Swimming’ when I
entered the field of competition 20 years ago. Sterrett’s prolific
pen, too, has done much to spread knowledge of developments. It was
in one of his books that I read the first technical discussion of
the principles of aquatic progression ever come to my notice, and
his numerous articles on all branches of watermanship have ever
held interest for me.”
_Wm. E. Bernard, Jr., Swimming Coach, Girard College, Philadelphia._
“Mr. Sterrett is known from coast to coast as an authority on
swimming, as well as a successful amateur coach. He taught me a
lot ten years ago, and I am now successfully using his methods in
teaching boys at Girard College.”
_William G. Friedgen, Philadelphia Turngemeinde._
“Through the early years of Mr. Sterrett’s connection with the
Philadelphia Swimming Club, which he organized in 1890, he was
the guiding spirit of that body of enthusiastic devotees of the
sport, always having in view the teaching and propagation of the
art of natation among its members, as well as to assist in similar
development in other organizations. He lent his aid to the Athletic
Club of the Schuylkill Navy and the Y.M.C.A., and was one of the
original members of the Swimming Committee of the Philadelphia
Turngemeinde, besides being instrumental in promoting many national
and district swimming tournaments, thus affording frequent
opportunity for competitions.”
_John W. Stevens, Swimming Instructor, First Regiment Pool,
Philadelphia._
“As an expert authority on swimming, James H. Sterrett classes
among the foremost in the country, and I attribute my success in
the swimming world, both as a swimmer and a teacher, to him—being
a pupil of his when a boy, and a close follower of his methods as
a teacher. He is a never tiring worker in his endeavor to further
the interest in swimming and his advice and criticism is always in
demand.”
_F. Vance Veith, Swimming Coach, Los Angeles A.C., California._
“In my early days of competition, Mr. Sterrett showed me a lot
about advanced swimming. I remember once how, in the Central
Y.M.C.A. of Philadelphia, before I became a professional swimming
teacher, Jim held himself up by the arms on the iron fence at the
side of the bath, and demonstrated the crawl kick for me, and then
while in the water, gave me some pointers which improved my speed
over the 100 yards 10 seconds in two weeks’ practice. I use his
methods now in teaching, and owe much of my success to his precepts
and examples.”
_Thomas G. Whitaker, Coach, Missouri A.C., St. Louis, Mo._
“Mr. James H. Sterrett can truly be called the Nestor of American
swimming. Many times when the pastime took a slump, his unselfish
and disinterested efforts were largely responsible for its
rehabilitation, and only those who have known the man and come into
personal contact with him, know what he has done for the sport, and
what it owes him in this country. His kindly manner and encouraging
advice has helped many youngsters to achieve their ambition in the
swimming world.”
_Andrew B. Kean, Charter Member P.S.C., Lansdowne, Pa._
“There are many of our present-day ‘crack’ swimmers who owe their
success to Jim Sterrett’s coaching. His advice to young swimmers is
always on tap. He is ever ready and willing to do what he can to
further the sport, and what he did for swimming in this part of the
country would fill a volume.”
_Prof. Charles Holroyd, Swimming Instructor, Training School,
Pittsburgh, Pa._
“Jim Sterrett’s work for swimming during the past 25 years has done
much toward organizing the sport in this country. He has made it
possible for a number of expert teachers to secure positions, while
he himself has started many a young lad with the proper stroke, who
has afterward become a successful racer.”
_Charles B. Durborow, America’s Long-distance Swimmer._
“I have had advice from numerous coaches in connection with my
training for long-distance events, but Mr. Sterrett has been
tireless in his interest in my swimming and has accompanied me on
many of my big performances, and has always been a steadfast and
dependable friend and adviser. I have closely watched his work as a
coach of speed swimmers, in which line he has been so successful.”
_Gordon M. Mullen, Swimming Instructor, Hygeia Baths, Atlantic
City, N. J._
“James H. Sterrett, affectionately called ‘Papa Jim’ by his host of
friends, is the most liberal swimming philanthropist I ever met,
always ready to impart his expert knowledge to the ‘other fellow.’
He is one of the few of the old school of swimmers who has kept
right up to date in the art. He taught me to swim all the strokes
scientifically, and I owe much of my success as a teacher to his
helpfulness.”
[Illustration: BREAST STROKE, SIDE VIEW.]
[Illustration: CRAWL STROKE, SIDE VIEW.]
Swimming a Necessary Part of One’s Education
Some years ago it was not so easy to get people interested in the art
of swimming and to have them realize the necessity of a knowledge
of how to keep the body afloat and to propel it through the water
by means of the arms and legs, in order to be able not only to save
one’s own life but be the means of rendering assistance to others in
time of danger and accident. Conditions have greatly changed in this
direction now, and swimming is on a strong wave of popularity; in
fact, the great mass of people of the United States, both young and
old, have taken up this pastime with so much vigor and enthusiasm
that it will not be long ere this country, as in many other things,
will lead all the nations of the world in its educational interest in
spreading this useful accomplishment, as our competitive swimmers are
now leading the world in speed swimming and skill in the water.
That swimming is healthful, splendid for development, easily acquired
and should be a part of one’s education and taught in schools as
being as necessary as reading, writing, and arithmetic, is now
generally admitted, and means have been provided in nearly all
the large cities whereby the school children are given the proper
facilities, under careful and up-to-date instruction, to bring about
the desired end.
The Simple Method
It is not our purpose in this book to go into any extended details
or give dry statistics, but to show by simple and plain talks on
the art and science of swimming and by language that is clear and
readily understood, with the assistance of various pictures, the
different positions in the water in swimming the breast stroke, the
over-arm side stroke, the double-over-arm stroke (sometimes called
the Trudgeon), and the now generally accepted and famous “crawl”
stroke, as these four movements in the water practically complete
one’s swimming education and make their possessor worthy of the title
of an expert.
There has been considerable controversy among expert swimmers and
teachers as to whether it is best to learn the crawl stroke first, or
the breast stroke, and various competitive tests have been made in
order to let the exponents of each principle prove, if possible, the
superiority of one method over the other, but no permanent deductions
have been arrived at; however, the author, aside from having decided
opinions himself in this matter, considers that where one method has
an advantage over the other, both have their good points.
Crawl Teaching Is Quickest
It is claimed that one can be taught quicker by a sort of dog-paddle,
sometimes spoken of as the crawl stroke, and we will admit this to
be so, but those who learn by this route are seldom good swimmers
until they master the other strokes, while the breast stroke as an
elementary one, although being a little harder to grasp, on account
of the co-ordination of arms and legs, gives more confidence to the
beginner, and he or she will rapidly advance from this point on, and
even in the early stages will be able to swim farther and with less
effort than by the so-called crawl method; however, if the beginner
can grasp the Trudge-crawl at the very start, the result will be much
easier and the advancement more rapid.
[Illustration: THE BREAST STROKE.
Beginning and Ending of Stroke.]
[Illustration: THE BREAST STROKE.
Count of Two, Separating Legs, Toes and Knees Pointing Out.]
[Illustration: THE CRAWL STROKE.
Head-on View, Showing Position of Arms and Legs at Beginning of
Stroke.]
[Illustration: THE CRAWL, SECOND POSITION, EXHALING UNDER WATER.]
[Illustration: THE CRAWL, THIRD POSITION, TAKING A BREATH.]
But, as we will show and explain both methods, the reader who does
not know how, can choose either one, and if he is taught by a
professional instructor, or some expert amateur coach, it matters not
which way he learns, so that he accomplishes the first object—to keep
the body afloat and propel it by means of the arms and legs.
The very first thing you want to get in your mind, and fasten it
there firmly, is the fact that there are only three things necessary
to become a good swimmer—the proper timing of the stroke, or what
experts call the alternate action or harmony (timing); breathing; and
the ability to relax; and when you have acquired these things—and
every one can master them—you will not only be able to swim well and
without effort, but go indefinite distances in the water just as
easily as walking on the land, and swim as long as your vitality will
permit and the lowered temperature of the body will allow.
The Breast Stroke
And now for the simple lessons, beginning with the breast stroke.
To swim the breast stroke the beginner lies flat on the water, being
supported by water wings, rubber life preserver, or held up in
shallow water by the hand of a friend or instructor. The body, except
the head and shoulders, is submerged a few inches under the water,
the arms and legs outstretched in a line with the body, the hands,
with palms downward, touching. The toes, knees and feet should be
pointing outward.
When beginning the stroke it is best to make the movements with three
counts. At “one” the hands are parted, describing a semi-circle,
and at “two” are brought up under the chin, the knees being
simultaneously brought up under the body, pointing outward, the legs
being separated. At “three” the hands are shot out in front of the
body and the legs whipped together, completing the full stroke, the
body being allowed to float for an instant before again beginning
the stroke, to get the benefit of the run as well as a little rest
between strokes.
At first the pupil may naturally keep the limbs tense in going
through these movements, and it is this, and holding the breath, that
tires, and not the muscular movements. But you will soon loosen up
after gaining a little confidence and you will find how easy it is to
float on and move through the water. And now comes that all-important
part of all swimming—breathing.
Breathing
Breathing plays the most important part in the art of swimming; in
fact, no one ever becomes a good swimmer unless attention is paid
to the matter of breathing, which must be done with regularity and
precision. This is especially necessary when using the advanced or
scientific strokes and much of the speed and endurance in swimming
depend on a correct performance of this part of the work. In breast
swimming, the head and face being more above the surface of the
water than in the side strokes, breathing is usually performed
through the nose alone, keeping the mouth closed in order not to take
in any water. But it is not long before those who breathe in this
fashion find out that the respiration is restricted, irregular and
jerky, and the swimmer soon gets “out of wind” and tires, wondering
why it is that he can only go such a short distance before he is
“played out.” To nothing else, so much as breathing, is due the
inability of those who can swim to keep up the speed and regularity
of movement for an indefinite period.
Annette Kellerman, the wonderful Australian woman swimmer, makes the
matter of breathing very clear when she says, “Take a quick gulp
of air through the mouth and let it ooze out slowly through the
nose.” What could be more simple in explanation? In swimming you
breathe entirely different from any other form of exercise, and you
will never swim well, easily or far, until you breathe as described
above and in unison with each stroke. It is much better to take the
quick breath through the mouth and then submerge the head and exhale
through the nose under water, for once you have mastered this you
have learned the real secret of success in swimming.
Make the stroke easy, and in proper timing, or co-ordination, breathe
regularly and with precision on each stroke, and, above all, do not
keep the limbs stiff or rigid, but relax, as swimming is not a matter
of strength or force, but skill.
Be patient and persistent and you will soon acquire an art you can
enjoy, with much physical benefit and great pleasure, until extreme
old age.
[Illustration: OVER-ARM SIDE STROKE, POSITION IN WATER.]
[Illustration: DOUBLE-OVER-ARM (TRUDGE).
After the Roll, Exhaling Under Water.]
The Over-arm Side Stroke
Having mastered the breast stroke sufficiently to feel comfortable
in the water, the pupil is now ready to learn the more advanced
swimming strokes, and the best one to take up next is the over-arm
side stroke, a method by which Joey Nuttall, of England, held all the
world’s records and won all the championship events from 100 yards to
one mile, defeating all comers and being unbeatable throughout the
world for over twenty-one years.
The over-arm side stroke is still one of the very best methods, and
is used by many of the world’s great swimmers, particularly for long
distance swimming, as it is not only very easy and comfortable, but
requires less exertion than any of the other strokes, and one can
glide along smoothly and at a good pace and keep up the movements for
an almost indefinite period.
As in many other things where greater speed is required, the over-arm
side stroke gives better pace and a longer run, because of the fact
that the body, being on the side, presents less resistance than when
on the breast, and, by minimizing the negative parts of the stroke,
we get a maximum amount of positive action, resulting in more speed,
with no greater effort.
Breast Stroke Elementary
The breast stroke is distinctly an elementary stroke, and until a
swimmer masters the over-arm side or the double over-arm strokes he
cannot be classed as a first-class performer in the water, as these
modern and up-to-date methods are now recognized by all first-class
swimmers throughout the world, both for record-making performances
as well as for all-around swimming ability. These strokes have been
experimented with and brought to a state of high proficiency in
recent years by expert swimmers, and are practical and useful in all
kinds of water and under every possible condition, requiring the
least energy and giving the best results, with little lost motion.
Before describing the over-arm side stroke, we wish to emphasize the
fact that the idea is to have a power working continuously on the
water, for as the over-arm is being drawn through the water the legs
are drawn up and the under-arm is shot forward, and when the over arm
extends the legs are brought together, and the body moves through the
water with a continuous run, and, when the stroke is properly timed,
or the swimmer acquires the alternative action, he glides along quick
and fast from the power of each stroke, without much loss of pace. It
matters not which side the swimmer lies on, as the side that comes
most natural will be found to be the better side, although some
people, being ambidextrous, can swim as easy on one side as the other.
Right Side for Illustration
For the purpose of illustrating the lesson, we will imagine the
swimmer to be on the right side. At the start of the stroke and on
the count of “one” the lower arm should be pulled steadily downward
toward the hip, but keeping it on the inside line of the body, and
not toward the back, which will keep the swimmer on his side much
like a cutter or yacht on her keel. The fingers should be kept
closed, with the thumbs touching and forming a sort of spoon-shape,
and used much like an oar in the pull through the water.
When the under-arm stroke is finished the hand should be turned
quickly, palm upward, in order to have as little resistance as
possible, and pushed rapidly forward to the point where it began.
The over-arm stroke is started as the downward part of the under-arm
stroke is finished, and should begin its downward course about six
inches in front of the face. The upper arm should be slightly bent to
work clear of the chest, with the palm and thumb pointing downward
and cuplike, to get the most from the pull.
The Pull Through
When the upper arm is about opposite the shoulder in its pull through
the water the legs should be separated for the leg stroke, and they
should be in position for giving the snappy kick when the hand leaves
the water and the kick should be completed and legs straightened out
before the upper arm is ready to begin the next stroke. The legs are
opened up and brought together simultaneously, the upper leg being
brought forward, the knee slightly bent, and the foot kept in its
ordinary position and not allowed to hang free, the lower leg being
bent backward, with the heel toward the thigh and swinging on a hinge
(so to speak), so that there is little resistance. Both feet should
be kept near to the surface of the water, except at the end of the
stroke, when the right foot dips to come just under the left.
Keep on the Side
Remember that you must keep on your side like a cutter. You must not
roll over on your breast, but keep in a straight-line position, for,
if you turn, or reach too far ahead with the upper arm, you will
throw yourself out of position and lose the easy run.
And, as in all the other strokes, remember about breathing and
relaxing, the great factors in making you swim easier, further and
better than other swimmers. As the under arm is drawn down, take the
quick breath or gulp of air through the mouth, closing the mouth and
exhaling through the nose until the completion of the stroke, and
then begin all over again. You will find that you do not have to make
any effort to keep your body afloat while on the side, therefore you
can relax more, and when you get the stroke and the breathing and
relaxing in harmony, it will be dead easy.
Persist, practice daily and do not get discouraged, for all of a
sudden it will dawn on you that you have mastered the stroke and will
soon go through the movements intuitively.
The Double-Over-arm or “Trudgeon” Stroke
Once the swimmer has acquired the over-arm side stroke, he is not
only ready but invariably ambitious to swim the double-over-arm
stroke, and this desire is but natural, as it can be readily seen
that the latter method gives an opportunity to increase one’s speed
as well as to get a more evenly balanced exercise from this form of
stroke; and here a word or two about swimming as an exercise and
for body development is in order, for it can be shown that there
is probably no other form of exercise that is better for a uniform
development of the body and which brings all the muscles into play,
including the heart and lungs, than swimming.
The exercise of swimming has the effect of toning up and quickening
the whole muscular condition, making the moving muscles pliant,
responsive, and not bunchy and hard, as in the case of some of the
heavier athletic and gymnastic pastimes.
[Illustration: HERBERT VOLLMER, N. Y. A. C., SWIMMING THE
TRUDGE-CRAWL.]
[Illustration:
1. Position for breathing; 2. Correct position for Crawl, showing
arched back; 3. Overhand Stroke with Crawl Kick; 4. Back Overhand
Stroke.
Photos posed by Teddy Cann of the New York Athletic Club and
copyrighted by American Press Association, N. Y.]
[Illustration:
1. Correct position for Swan Dive; 2. Correct stand for Race Start;
3. This illustration is only designed to show the Crawl Stroke
position of the hands; 4. Crawl Stroke (in action) position.
Photos posed by Teddy Cann of the New York Athletic Club and
copyrighted by American Press Association, N. Y.]
[Illustration: SWIMMING ON THE BACK, IN ACTION.]
The double-over-arm stroke is more frequently referred to as the
Trudgeon, but nowadays this name is a misnomer, as the original
Trudgeon stroke was so called after a man by that name had won an
English 100-yard championship, using the double-over-arm, or both
arms out of the water, but kicking a sort of leg motion like the
breast stroke action, a style not now approved of by modern swimmers,
because the scissors kick, as used with this stroke, made the same
way as in the over-arm side stroke, has been found to be better,
faster and more graceful in action.
The Stroke for Distance Work
Before describing the movements of the double-over-arm stroke, we
will here remark that almost all the world’s records for middle
and long-distance swimming have been made by this stroke, and some
idea of the speed attained can be formed by the following records,
all made by George Hodgson of Canada, one of the world’s greatest
distance champion swimmers, and the best exponent of this method
the writer has ever seen: 400 meters, 5 minutes 24 2-5 seconds;
1,000 meters, 14 minutes 37 seconds; 1,500 meters, 22 minutes; 1,600
meters, 23 minutes 28 1-5 seconds, and one mile, 23 minutes 34 1-2
seconds. And at the time the great swimmer made these records at the
Olympic games in 1912, he defeated all the fastest and best swimmers
and record-holders from all parts of the world, some of them using
the famous crawl stroke, thus proving himself, as well as the
stroke, to be the best in the world at that time.
While it would not be literally correct to call the modern Trudgeon
stroke a “double-over-arm-side stroke,” yet that is most nearly what
the motions of the double-over-arm approach, for you must first swim
one part of the stroke as a side-stroke movement, and then roll over
partly on the breast to get your other arm out of the water, thus
giving you more positive action and greater speed by getting both
arms out, than you would get from the single-over-arm, in which one
of the arms must be pushed under and through the water, with the
resistance such negative action entails.
Depends Upon Side
If you swim on the right side you begin the movements of the
double-over-arm stroke by diving into the water, or pushing off on
your side from the side or end of the tank, or the shore, and, when
at full length, with right hand under the water and extended beyond
the head, and the left hand pointing backward, and at the count of
“one,” bring the right hand downward, on the inside line of the body,
and not behind the back, for this movement will keep you on your side
like a cutter, while if you pull downwards and back of the body, you
will be thrown on your chest too soon and stop your run.
At the same time as the right arm is being drawn downward, and on
the same count of “one,” the left arm is thrown forward out of and
clear of the water, and at the count of “two,” the left leg is drawn
up to meet the left arm as it comes down and through the water much
like an oar, and at “three” the legs are whipped together and the
body turned partly on the breast and the right arm brought out of the
water and thrown forward, the body rolling to the right side again
and repeating the same movements. If you swim on the left side, of
course you must make the movements described to suit the opposite arm
and legs from those given in the description.
The Test of Breathing
And now you are up to the point where it is a real test of whether
you have mastered the art of breathing, for this stroke requires
regular and automatic breathing, with proper timing and precision
on each stroke, before you will be able to swim it easily and as
comfortably as the other strokes, because you cannot miss a breath or
hold your breath for any number of strokes, but must take the quick
gulp of air while on the side as the face is upturned just as you
draw the right hand down through the water, then close your mouth,
and exhale slowly through the nose while the face is under water,
until the stroke is fully completed, or, in other words, breathe in
harmony and in timing with each stroke.
The double-over-arm, because of the submerging of the face on each
stroke, and because of the forced regularity of breathing, and no
effort being required to keep the body afloat, is well adapted for
swimming in rough water, as the waves will not be so apt to dash
in your face and mouth at the wrong time, to disconcert you, and
interrupt the regularity of your breathing.
Charles B. Durborow, conceded to be the world’s greatest distance
endurance swimmer, uses the double-over-arm stroke in making all his
great long-distance swims, some of which have never been made before
or since by any other swimmer.
The Crawl Stroke
The crawl stroke is undoubtedly the greatest stroke that has ever
been invented or discovered in connection with the art of swimming,
and until its adoption and subsequent improvement by experimenting
with it until it was brought up to a high point of efficiency, the
swimmers of the world had practically reached their limit of speed
performances, having perfected the other strokes beyond further
improvement, and thus it was that they were eager to take up the
new-found method by which it has been discovered that a person can go
still faster through the water.
And now, before describing the stroke and the action of the arms
and legs when swimming the crawl, as we have done in our previous
lessons, we will tell you the secret of why this new method is so
much faster than the others, and the whole thing is a matter of
eliminating resistance, or minimizing the negative parts of the
stroke and getting a maximum amount of positive action; or, in other
words, doing the same thing as has been done in many other things to
produce greater speed—applying the maximum of power while at the same
time reducing resistance to the minimum.
The crawl stroke originated in Australia, and Dick Cavil, one of the
members of that famous family of expert swimmers, and one of the best
all-around swimmers the author has ever seen, told the writer that
his brother, “Tums,” in an argument with another swimmer as to their
relative ability, said he could tie his feet together and then beat
the other chap for a length of the pool, and when the contest came
off he made good his boast.
“Tums” Cavil always argued that the legs were not of much use to him
in fast swimming, and he believed that they hindered other swimmers
when going at top speed, because in drawing them up and separating
them they stopped the run on the stroke, and he at once started
experimenting on this theory, with the result that a new stroke was
developed and launched on the natatorial world and at once became
popular, until now it is used by all the fast swimmers of the world.
At the Olympic games in 1912, Hodgson, the Canadian swimmer, beat
all the fastest swimmers in the world at middle distance swimming,
using the double-over-arm stroke, and Duke Kahanamoku, the Hawaiian,
beat all the short distance men of the world with the crawl stroke,
swimming 100 meters (109 1-3 yards) in 61 seconds, and since then the
big bronze-skin athlete, at his home in Honolulu, swam 50 yards in 23
seconds and 100 yards in 53 1-5 seconds, which shows how very fast he
can go through the water with the crawl stroke.
The Important Point
The most important thing to remember in swimming the crawl stroke is
the fact that the body should be kept perfectly flat on the water,
the face and head partly submerged, the eyes preferably above the
water and looking straight ahead. The arms are alternately reached
out at a comfortable distance in front of the head, and on a direct
line with the body, not pointing out sideways, but, if anything,
pointing at the start of the arm stroke more nearly to the center
line of the body.
The catch on the water should be taken at the beginning of each arm
stroke, using the weight of the shoulders, without over-reaching, to
get a good leverage on the downward pull. The arms must be brought
straight down, stopping the pull about on a line parallel with the
shoulders, and in recovering, describe a long oval, making sure that
before the power of one hand is fully expended the other has taken
up the motion, that it may be continuous, for it is this regular and
steady pull of the arms, and not the thrash of the legs, that has the
most to do with propelling the crawl swimmer through the water.
Breathing while using this stroke is harder than the other strokes,
because the swimmer must not roll the body out of its straight line;
therefore, the head and shoulders must be slightly turned in order
to get the breath, which can be taken after swimming two or three
strokes, but later on, when one has mastered the movements better,
breathing should be done on each stroke, exhaling slowly under water.
The Leg Movement
The legs are moved up and down in a continuous action, and not
necessarily in co-ordination with the arms, the motions being free
from the hips and not from the knees, keeping the legs straight,
without having them bent much at the knees (a fault almost all
beginners have) and pointing the toes out straight.
However, after the swimmer has mastered the leg action, he can bend
slightly at the knees, in order to get the sort of propelling
movements necessary to help move the body in its steady pace through
the water. But remember, the legs do not play so large a part in the
crawl stroke as the arm movements, and are used mostly to keep them
afloat and accelerate the run, and the fellow who gets it into his
head that the more work and greater fuss he makes with his legs the
faster he will go, will soon find that he is retarding his movements
and not getting the full speed.
While there are definite and fixed movements for the crawl, hardly
two swimmers use the stroke exactly alike, but all of them must
nearly approach the proper position in the water, get good balance,
breathe regularly and with precision on each stroke, and relax more
in the crawl than any of the other strokes, if a clean, easy movement
through the water is desired.
The Recognized Methods of the Crawl Stroke
There are two methods of swimming the crawl stroke that are generally
accepted by expert swimmers and master coaches, the one being
referred to as the straight crawl, where the swimmer lies very flat
on the water, with but very little roll in order to breathe, and uses
a six-beat kick, which the majority think is the best method for
sprinting, say, from 50 to 220 yards, and the other being called the
Trudge-crawl, using a four-beat kick, the under leg being used with
a short scissor or Trudge kick, and the swimmer rolling more than on
the straight crawl, and the action of legs not being as fast, this
latter method is considered best for middle and longer distances.
L. deB. Handley of the New York Athletic Club, a recognized authority
on swimming matters, and a man who has had a lot to do with the
coaching of many good amateur swimmers, both men and women, and who
has spent considerable time in connection with the study of the crawl
stroke, has proposed the following suggestion in connection with the
crawl method, which the author cheerfully endorses:
“It has been my aim for several years to have universally accepted
a swimming nomenclature that would be descriptive, in as much as
possible, and I have classified the strokes under the styles of:
crawl, for a leg thrash of even scope; single Trudgeon-crawl, for
leg thrash with one major and one or more minor kicks, and double
Trudgeon-crawl, for a thrash with two major kicks (double rhythm) or
two such kicks and minor ones; then add two, or four, or six-beat,
to indicate the number of movements per full stroke. That gives to
a swimmer a pretty clear idea of a man’s stroke without further
explanation, while such names as Australian, American, rotary, etc.,
mean nothing unless every detail is added.
Swimmers who want to take up a more thorough and deeper study of the
crawl stroke than given herein, should read the “Symposium of the
Crawl,” in “Speed Swimming,” No. 36R of Spalding’s Athletic Library,
price 25 cents.
[Illustration: DUKE P. KAHANAMOKU,
Honolulu. H. I.; the Fastest Sprint Swimmer in the World.]
[Illustration: LUDY LANGER,
Los Angeles Athletic Club, California; American Champion at 440
Yards, 500 Yards, 880 Yards and One-mile Swims.]
[Illustration: H. J. HEBNER,
Illinois Athletic Club, Chicago; Back Stroke and All-Around Swimmer.]
[Illustration: GEORGE HODGSON,
Montreal A. A. C.; Winner of 400 Meters and 1.500 Meters Swims,
Olympic Games, 1912, in World’s Record Time.]
Training for Speed Swimming
There are many and various ways of training for speed swimming, and
it would require quite a volume to enumerate them all. Dr. J. K.
Shell has prepared for the writer a form of training for swimming
which not only fully meets my approval, but it is so good that it is
herewith given:
“In training the only maxim for the successful racer is, ‘Don’t do
too much.’ It is unnecessary to swim every day, nor is it useful to
go the entire distance at each immersion. The aim is to strengthen
the muscles, and have the powers and functions trained to an
excessive expenditure of power without any deleterious after effects.
The best plan for either a one hundred yards or a mile man is to swim
three days a week at the pace he expects to race, at intermediate
distances, reserving the entire distances for the same day on which
the race will take place. The first week of training should be given
to running, punching the bag, some hand ball, dumb bells, Indian
clubs, pulley weights and general gymnasium work.
“The second week commences the swimming work—go slowly, pay the
greatest attention to form, never mind speed, but get your action
fully automatic and working with a conservation of energy. Do half of
your distance three times this week.
“The third week will see you going on with much greater speed and
easier action, and now commence the regular practice of starting and
sprinting.
“Starting is but the action of a standing broad jump; there should be
but one spring, and that made at the report of the pistol. Stand in
the position taken in jumping, just as you are ready to go off. Have
the legs bent, the arms back, the body leaning forward, and when the
word is given don’t straighten up and then spring, nor swing your
arms forward and then back and off, nor look at your competitors, nor
pick your course, but spring, and spring with power and quickness
far out, get the arms in front quick, dive shallow, and get a stroke
in under water, and be sure to have your stroke ready upon reaching
the surface. These little points come in very important in a hundred
yards, and in a distance race give you an advantage of many feet
without any extra exertion; excepting that of thinking instead of
floating. This sprint and start may be practiced on the intermediate
days of swimming.
“During the third week increase your distance to three-quarters, and
endeavor to swim it clear through from start to finish, not holding
back for the sprint, but depending upon your energy and spirit to
sprint out the last 150 yards. The full distance should be swam not
later than one week before the race, and at very nearly your best
speed. Three days before the race do at your best speed three-fifths
of your distance, and rest quietly until the day of the race, doing
just enough exercise to keep yourself pliant. On the day keep
cool—don’t fret and worry. Don’t think of a race or racing until you
get on your mark, get set, and spring—and strike the water and then
swim hard and steady clear through, and swim fair and true.
“The swimmer demands plenty of sleep at night, regular and
methodical. Be in bed each night by 10:30, and sleep until morning;
do not let anything disturb you; go to bed to sleep, and sleep that
sound sleep that swimmers usually get. In the morning, take a few
quick movements, a splash off, a little walk, and a good nutritious
breakfast. In eating, use fully all seasonable vegetables, and I
would advise the use of a good modern cook’s products—except the
pastries and highly seasoned dishes. Roasts—beef, mutton and game—and
broiled steaks, filets and fish, fruit and custards, all may be
enjoyed. But eat slowly, masticate well, and have good cheer wait on
you.
“Have a friend—a trainer, a rubber or a mate—with you in training,
and never omit a good, hard, conscientious rubbing and massaging and
kneading of the muscles; let all your muscles be pliant during this
operation; and finally recollect in racing, and in your actions, to
be ‘always a gentleman.’ Don’t jockey nor scold, nor be profane, but
swim, and ‘may the best man win.’”
In this connection the writer would call the attention of every
swimmer—whether he belongs to a college or not—to the Official
Intercollegiate Swimming Guide, published annually in the Spalding
Athletic Library series (No. 361, price 10 cents) for the
Intercollegiate Swimming Association. This book contains not only
articles of interest concerning the happenings in the collegiate
swimming world, and records of same, but, each year, in addition,
contains special articles by leading authorities on some important
feature of swimming.
Touching and Turning