Comments on Swimator Blog: Alexander Popov (The Ultimate Sprinting Machine)

Ahh yes, South African swimmers are fast and espec...

2008-06-16T10:11:00.000+03:00

Ahh yes, South African swimmers are fast and especially now in the new suits, Popov would not have a chance.

This guy is a absolute machine, but Ryk Neethling ...

2008-06-05T21:31:00.000+03:00

This guy is a absolute machine, but Ryk Neethling and Schoeman will take him this year. Can you tell Im South African?

Stephen, DPS means "Distance Per Stroke" which in...

2007-02-03T19:04:00.000+02:00

Stephen,

DPS means "Distance Per Stroke" which in other words is how far does a swimmer move per one stroke. If I were you I wouldn't be too concerned with this. Think of it more in a way of how many strokes you take in one length of the pool. The more strokes you take, the shorter DPS and of course the less strokes, the longer DPS.

To the head out of water swim. This is called the "tarzan" or "water polo swim". It is used as a drill to get some more kicking workout and also to practice your catch in the water. Finally, it can also be used to strengthen your posture as it is quite tough to keep your chin out of the water all the time.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you are wondering more things and I can post an article about it.

great video, thanks. one question -how come all do...

2007-02-03T16:58:00.000+02:00

great video, thanks. one question -how come all doggy paddle - head out of the water style. is it some technique training?
also, what's 'DPS'?

Did anyone notice his rotation? The way he moves ...

2006-11-29T05:54:00.000+02:00

Did anyone notice his rotation? The way he moves his torso propels him to move faster than what his arms can do for pull.

yea Popov is definitely one of the greatest freest...

2006-08-25T22:22:00.000+03:00

yea Popov is definitely one of the greatest freestyler thats ever walked on earth. His stroke is very efficient; although he is a sprinter he has a great amount of DPS.

Thanks for the comments. The forearm should be the...

2006-08-11T20:52:00.000+03:00

Thanks for the comments. The forearm should be the first thing that moves when you enter the water. It is like you are wrapping your arm around a barrel and then pushing the barrel backwards or similar to cocking a gun with the forearm and once cocked, you release it with the pull back which should be finished by throwing the fireball with your hand out of the water. Make sure to stretch as far out of your shoulder forward and then finish your stroke all the way to the end. You'd be surprised how much difference a little stretch and finish might make. Perhaps next time I should do a post on the skin suits and Alex's refusal to wear one :). He has his own skin.

The clipping is ultimate for someone like me who ...

2006-08-10T17:07:00.000+03:00

The clipping is ultimate for someone like me who is learning freestyle.

His initial pull seems to be ALL forearm, especial...

2006-08-10T04:42:00.000+03:00

His initial pull seems to be ALL forearm, especially on his right arm. It almost seems that the rest of his arm, from elbow to shoulder, remains almost unnaturally still until his hand completes the catch and initial pull. It is like it's exaggerated compared to many of the other swimmers I have seen. Very interesting. He was SOME swimmer.