Hi everyone,
Today I decided to send you guys not a race, but a very cool documentary from 1976.
Here are a couple things to take notice:
- 4-5 hours of practice, 12 miles per day!!!
- AAU (American Athletic Union) was the "USA Swimming" of that time.
- At some point you will see a GUN in someones hand. Those days GUNS (sound guns) were used for starts (instead of the horn) and the bell for long distance events.
- Shallow pools (usually they were 4ft deep.
- At that time, goggles were used for practices, but not for races yet. They would not stay off the start...
- Stroke technique: BASICALLY the same as today, with some differences:
- Breaststroke: some part of the head needed to stay above the water the entire time, so swimmers used to keep looking forward the entire time.
- Freestyle: the head position: at that time it was believed that you should be looking forward with your face at a 45 degrees diagonal angle, and that coaches did not emphasized the kick so much (even though the the fastest swimmers swam with strong kicks)
This is a very cool documentary, very well done.
I hope you enjoy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYU-z_9SBfo
Have a safe, and nice day.
Coach Mario
