Dipsey-Do
Working
bows, they should move straight forward on the lunge not up or down. To help keep the forearms level as they lunge for ward, the palms are face down. This also keeps pressure on the palms until the streamline position is reached.

Drill: Dipsey-Do

This drill is done with a dolphin kick (fins or monofin optional) and breast stroke puli. The object is to over-empha size the wave motion. Again, try doing a


set of 8 x 25 yards, taking as much rest as you need between swims.

Remembering the principles already learned, move the hands in a circular mo tion from slow to fast and keep the el bows in front of the shoulders. Keep the elbows close to the surface at all times.

Now, try to raise our of the water as much as possible and then dive down deep. Think of yourself as emulating a dolphin diving.

In the wave breaststroke, the hips move forward on the insweep of the cir cular stroke. Some describe the motion hy saying that the hands anchor them selves on the insweep while the hips move forward like an inchworm. In the flat style, the hips do nor move forward and the hack does not arch as in the wave

style. By moving the hips forward and arching the back, the head will automati cally move out of the water so the swim mer can breathe. Thus, the swimmer does nor have to pick the head up to breathe.

In the flat style, the swimmer is much lower during the prayer position. The body and head are moving down (be cause the head was raised earlier). The arms and feet are also moving forward. All of these things contribute to a slower (and harder) breaststroke.

This drill causes the swimmer's hips to move forward during the insweep of the circular stroke, which allows him to reach the height of the stroke at the prayer po sition. From this position, the body can ride the wave forward even though the feet and then the arms are moving for ward, which causes resistance. But the wave style uses this height and hand speed to get through the prayer position very quickly.


(In the next issue of SWIM, Santos wi//describe three drills to help you master/he breaststroke kick, then give you tips on hon to put the entire wave stroke together)

Roque Santos, winner of the 200 breaststroke at the 1952 U.S. Olympic Trials, conducts clinics that specialize in breaststroke and motivation. For further information, call: (916) 891-0828.