Typical Errors and Corrections with the Combat Swimmer Stroke
1 – Kick off the wall – Kick off hard like you are trying to jump and grab the rim of a basketball hoop – just horizontally in this case. Stay streamlined with hands interlocked and biceps on your ears. Hold the glide off the wall for about 4-5 seconds, add in a double arm pull, kick and recover your arms over the head – hold that glide for a few seconds. THEN start your stroke (top arm pull…See #8 for full sequence)
~ search “breast stroke pullout” for the way to do the double arm pull off the wall.
Do You even need to do a pullout? CSS Debate: To Pullout or Not Pullout (Breaststroke Pullout Issues)
2 -Waste of Energy - WAY too many kicks. The flutterkicks will add up to likely about 500 flutterkicks by the time you finish 500yds if you are constantly kicking during your glide position. This will seriously affect your other PST scores (run, situps, overall energy remaining) See more here - CSS Help: To Add Flutter kicks or Not?
3 - Your top arm/breathing cycle is off: You need to turn your head to breathe as your top arm passes your torso. TURN WITH THE TOP ARM
~ also search "freestyle catch" for the top arm pull method that will help you.
4 - You inhale with the bottom arm pull. DO NOT turn and breathe during the bottom arm pull. BREATHE WITH THE BOTTOM ARM
~ also search "breaststroke scull" for the bottom arm pull method that you need.
CSS Help: Fix Your Arm Pulls (top & bottom)
5 – Pop Head up to breathe – Instead of popping the head up to breathe like you were doing the breast stroke, turn your head like you are doing freestyle. In fact, practice the freestyle turn and breathe and you will be able to use it on the first part of the CSS as they are the same. (top arm pull and turn your head together)
6 - Fix Your Kick - Your kick needs to be a scissor kick or breast stroke kick - then keep your feet together and glide - no need to 100s of flutterkicks. An additional dolphin kick during the glide is acceptable. CSS Help: Fix Your Kick
7 - Your glide should be held for 2-3 seconds. (1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi, Pull on THREE) CSS Help: Fix Your Glide - Gliding is for efficiency and energy conservation for the full fitness test. Remember you have 4 more events after the swim - pushups, situps, pullups, and a 1.5-mile run. Don't blow it all during the swim.
~ stay streamlined like a torpedo. You need to glide with arms overhead / biceps on your ears, hands locked one on top of the other.
8 – Side or Stomach Roll – It is up to you if you want to roll on your stomach after the kick / during the glide. Some like to stay on their side / some roll over. IF you have your shoulder breaking the surface during the glide, you need to roll over to avoid the extra drag and surface tension.
9 - Overall sequence: Top arm pull, turn to breathe, bottom arm pull - inhale, kick and recovery arms overhead (streamlined), glide / exhale. REPEAT. CSS Help: Fix Your CSS Sequence of the Stroke - Pull - Breathe - Kick - Glide
See CSS Help Series for Assistance.
Reference Videos
See Three Part Breakdown of the CSS
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