Go Swim Backstroke with Margaret Hoelzer

Posted by Glenn Mills on Mar 30, 2009 09:30AM (11,100 views)

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Margaret Hoelzer’s backstroke like you’ve never seen it before!

In GO SWIM BACKSTROKE WITH MARGARET HOELZER, Olympic Medalist and American record holder Margaret Hoelzer shares the key focus points that she uses to develop her awesome backstroke technique. Margaret’s six focus points work for every level of swimmer – novice to elite – and you don’t have to learn drills or change your normal workout routine in order to incorporate them into your stroke. You can start to apply them immediately, the next time you go to the pool. The extraordinary swimming footage of Margaret, combined with clear, step-by-step instruction, will help take your backstroke to the next level.

• Discover Margaret’s 6 key focus points for fast backstroke.
• Learn WHY each key point is important, and HOW each one will help you go faster.
• Each focus point is illustrated from multiple angles – side, head-on, below, and rear – and from above and below the surface.
• Slow-motion and freeze-frame footage allows you to zoom in on key moves and really SEE how to do them.

MARGARET HOELZER swam in her first meet at age 5. Since then, she has been a member of the National Junior Team as well as 5 National “A” Teams. She has won 6 NCAA championships, 2 national championships, and 3 individual world championships. Margaret has been a member of two US Olympic Teams (2004 and 2008). In 2008 she won Olympic Trials with a world record in the 200m Backstroke, and went on to win a silver medal in that event in Beijing, as well as a bronze medal in the 100m Backstroke and silver in the 400m Medley Relay. Through clinics and appearances, Margaret has won fans all over the world, and is adept at teaching swimmers of all ages and abilities. She is the national spokesperson for the National Children’s Advocacy Center, and has received the “Voice of Courage” award from the Darkness to Light organization.

GO SWIM BACKSTROKE WITH MARGARET HOELZER was written, filmed, and produced by the team of GLENN MILLS, a member of the 1980 Olympic Swim Team, and BARBARA HUMMEL, veteran of two Olympic Trials and currently a coach and World Top-Ten Masters swimmer.

backstroke, Margaret Hoelzer

Responses

Paul Reeder	Responded Mar 31, 2009 03:51PM Fantastic clip, the videography is getting better and better with each video. Being able to slow down the high def version is a great way to see exactly what she is doing with her hand and arm position. Her flexibility in her elbows and ankles is just amazing. Can you tell me the advantage of her hand entry, which is almost thumb first? Does this allow her to concentrate on recover with her elbows almost hyper extended? It is very efficient for her and beautiful to watch.
Skipper	Responded Apr 02, 2009 12:42AM Yeah Paul I was wondering the same thing- initiating the backstroke catch seems like an very individual thing in top level swimmers. I can't help that wonder if she is missing something by doing it this way..... obviously works though for her in the same instance. Do you also know how training or technique wise, Margret has changed since moving to train with Sean? Does the video feature Sean as well?
Glenn Mills	Responded Apr 02, 2009 01:12PM We did have a spot for Sean in it, but he really wanted it to be about Margaret. He's a good guy, and we were able to watch a couple practices which was very nice. She does talk about some of her training routines on the DVD in the racing section. And she does focus on why she does what she does with her hand. It's pretty cool stuff.
fiZZLe	Responded Apr 03, 2009 06:50AM I liked the pool side key points on the DVD's I have, but a hole/strap would be amazing to hook onto the bag. I'm sure that could fit in the DVD case :) . Imagine kids walkin around with GoSwim focus points Bag Tag versions of the "Stroke Guide". In fact I wish all my focus points were handily on my bag to look at before/after each workout, maybe even on a little screen inside my goggles. I think the latter is something for the future maybe.
Glenn Mills	Responded Apr 03, 2009 12:32PM Good news Billy. We're in the process of converting ALL our inserts to that. As they run out, we're reprinting in that fashion. Margaret's DVD will include exactly what you're asking for. I'll wait for the heads up display on googles to move to the last one. :)
Paul	Responded Apr 03, 2009 07:08PM And she does focus on why she does what she does with her hand. It's pretty cool stuff. OK a wild guess about the hands. Backstrokers tend to not fix the hand before the catch, it's more of a quick hand entry, the hand then drifting out laterally from either over reach or under reach before the first sweep. In Margarets case (and quite possibly it's just her mechanical make up) she delays the pull just a fraction to glide in a streamline position and further extends her reach as her hand and body rolls in to position to make a very powerful first sweep. It may not be a textbook hand entry but when you see power like that being delivered....throw the book away and just watch, over and over. It starts to make sense. Probably wrong, but coaches out there without the benefit of the DVD voiceover ....have a go at it. I'd love other opinions. Edited Apr 03, 2009 07:10PM
GAGOO	Responded Mar 29, 2012 12:00PM very clean backstroke

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Go Swim Backstroke with Margaret Hoelzer

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