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Breakthrough Swimming (Paperback)

~ Cecil Colwin (Author) "From the sparse descriptions on record, early attempts at swimming probably consisted of random arm and leg movements with no specific techniques; otherwise, we know..." (more)
Key Phrases: organized vortex system, human swimming propulsion, wave action breaststroke, United States, Olympic Games, East German (more...)
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
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Breakthrough Swimming + Swimming Fastest + The Ultimate Guide To Weight Training For Swimming (Ultimate Guide to Weight Training for Swimming) (Ultimate Guide to Weight Training for Swimming) (Ultimate Guide to Weight Training for Swimming)
Total List Price: $91.85
Price For All Three: $59.75

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In Breakthrough Swimming, legendary swimming coach and historian Cecil Colwin describes how competitive swimmers of the modern era—such as swimming giants Ian Thorpe and Grant Hackett—apply innovative training methods and stroke techniques to set new standards of performance.

All four strokes as well as starts and turns are presented in thorough detail in Colwin’s easy-to-grasp instructional style. Not only will you gain a greater understanding of competitive swimming through its origins and evolution, but you’ll also learn these skills:

• Improve stroke technique, starts, and turns.

• Develop a better training program and understand the principles of training.

• Apply the latest research in hydrodynamics and the propulsive mechanisms of speed swimming to create ultimate speed through the water.

• Coach the “feel” of the water to help swimmers detect and manipulate the water flow with ever-increasing dexterity.

Internationally acclaimed sport physiologist Dr. David Pyne, recipient of the Australian Sports Medal for his work with that country’s Olympic swimming team, contributed a special chapter to the book. Pyne covers all phases of modern training, from physiological testing and monitoring to race preparation and post competition analysis.

The engaging book also offers an inside look at how the sport has evolved, especially in recent years, with the advent of professional swimming and the growing specter of performance-enhancing drugs. Combining the latest technical innovations with a revealing historical context, Breakthrough Swimming is the definitive work on the past, present, and future of competitive swimming.

From the Publisher

”What a marvelous undertaking! Readers can use as much or as little of the information as one would want; those just beginning their careers can gain enough relevant data to get started on a correct course, while seasoned coaches and swimmers will certainly be challenged by the book’s in-depth information.”

Paul Bergen Member of the International Hall of Fame Has coached 10 swimmers to 22 world records

”In Breakthrough Swimming, Cecil Colwin has called upon all of his years of experience as a coach, teacher, historian, scientific analyst, writer and iconoclast to create a brilliant, comprehensive and eminently readable work of art. Colwin's unique insights make this book an absolute must-read for every serious swimmer, coach, and lover of the sport.

Breakthrough Swimming has reconfirmed Colwin as the dean of the world's swimming scholars.”

Phillip Whitten Editor-in-Chief Sports Publications, Inc.

"Cecil Colwin continues his major contributions to the thought processes of swimming in a fascinating book that gives meaning and relevance to a mountain of information ."

John Leonard, Executive Director, American Swimming Coaches' Association Editor, American Swimming Magazine

"Like Counsilman's The Science of Swimming, Colwin's Breakthrough Swimming serves as a comprehensive technical manual on competitive strokes and training, and is certain to stimulate creative thinking on the part of novice and veteran coaches alike."

Murray Stephens, Director, North Baltimore Aquatic Club, USA Olympic Coach

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Product Details

  • Paperback: 262 pages
  • Publisher: Human Kinetics (February 20, 2002)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0736037772
  • ISBN-13: 978-0736037778
  • Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #311,028 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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More About the Author

Cecil Colwin
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
From the sparse descriptions on record, early attempts at swimming probably consisted of random arm and leg movements with no specific techniques; otherwise, we know little of the early history of human swimming. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
organized vortex system, human swimming propulsion, wave action breaststroke, world clinic yearbook, overarm sidestroke, propelling member, sharpening training, slow interval training, trudgen stroke, propulsive impulse, scientific swimming, conventional breaststroke, butterfly arm action, swimmer inhales, leading swimmers, continuous propulsion, fist swimming, swimming nations, failing adaptation, arte natandi, oncoming flow, doping trials, repeat swims, talented swimmers, sensitizing procedures
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
United States, Olympic Games, East German, World Cup, Charles Steedman, World Championships, Johnny Weissmuller, Forbes Carlile, Dick Cavill, Great Britain, National Swimming Society, North America, The London Times, Duke Kahanamoku, Los Angeles, Manual of Swimming, World War, Bob Kiphuth, George Haines, Grant Hackett, International Swimming Hall of Fame, Modern Efforts, Peter Daland, Sydney Olympics, William Wilson
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Customer Reviews

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Average Customer Review
4.6 out of 5 stars (10 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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68 of 72 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding, Amazing, April 10, 2003
By Dick Roth (Hawaii) - See all my reviews
I am one of those swimmers Mr Colwin talks about; natural, skilled, elite. Call it what you will, I swim easily and fast. Fast enough to win the Olympics (Tokyo, 1964, 400 IM)

This book is astounding in its breadth and depth of knowledge. If you are at all serious about swimming for speed or enjoyment you need to read this work. The first and second chapters on stroke development and recent breakthroughs would be enough to make this book a classic,

The fluid dynamics section is excellent, a good thing to know in your mind. But far more valuable to me is the chapter about feeling the water. Here we dive into the heart of the matter. The more talented swimmers feel the water more. You can swim most efficiently when you can tell when the water is most ready to pull against. I stand in awe of Colvin's ability to explain an intuitive process that leaves me blubbering for words.

All of us who love the water owe Cecil Colwin a deep and sincere thank you.

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21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars History, Hydrodynamics and Training, October 17, 2002
By Donal Fagan (Baltimore MD United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
The average swimming book prescribes stroke techniques, then offers a sample training routine. In 'Breakthrough Swimming', Cecil Colwin sets his stroke and training advice amid much firm background and some speculative discussion. Coach Colwin covers three subjects: History, Hydrodynamics and Training.

The history is broken into two parts which begin and end the book. The first is a history of swim technique (sidestroke, trudgen, overarm, etc.) which leads to a description of the four current strokes. As in Swimming Dynamics, he illustrates a "typical" way of swimming each stroke even though he admits a wide range of technique possibilities. (Colwin is an excellent draughtsman, but there seems to be a drawing error: In the text and in his side view drawings of the crawl, he describes a full body rotation of 35 - 45 degrees each way as desirable. His front view, however, shows the swimmer almost dead flat throughout the crawl.)

Continuing the exploration of hydrodynamics that he began in Swimming Dynamics, Colwin discusses the bow wave, lift, his vortex-shedding theories of propulsion, strategies of streamlining, using the hands to direct the water and many other ideas.

In covering training, Colwin (and Pyne) offer the usual ideas of aerobic vs anaerobic, interval vs distance, etc. I find myself thinking of his section, "Development of the Will to Overcome Fatigue," as I swim. I realize that I have rarely reached Hurt, much less Agony or Pain since high school (at least not in the pool).

The book ends with a history of competition that discusses rule changes, better pools, the World Cup tour (he's not impressed), national team vs club-based coaching, a chronicle of doping, fistgloves, the problems with bodysuits, a ranking of the stars of the 20th century and a look forward.

I definitely found the book worth reading.

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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars An Essential Swimming Book, October 17, 2002
By A Customer
In "Breakthrough Swimming", Cecil Colwin has done a fantastic job in bringing together the thoughts, techniques and advice of many famous and successful coaches and their swimmers from all over the world. Of particular interest are the changes in techniques over the years and the preparation of today's star swimmers. Also of great interest was the comparison and use of scientific principles in assisting in streamlining the body and optimising the use of energy and strength to gain more speed.
As a past competitive swimmer, this book is a "must" for anyone with an interest in this great sport. It is a book where you need to have your own copy so you can read and re-read it from time to time as well as use it as a reference guide.
A real "winner" from Cecil Colwin !
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Not for beginners or intermediate swimmers
I swim a mile every morning and was looking for the proverbial breakthrough. This book was not it. The historical development of the various strokes (first part of book) did not... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Craig J. Schultz

5.0 out of 5 stars An absolute "must" for past and present swimmers .
This is a really wonderful book with an in-depth insight into the latest techniques and training methods, encompassing a collection of successful techniques from numerous very... Read more
Published on October 7, 2002 by Gerald Saltman

5.0 out of 5 stars An A-Z for swimmers and coaches at all levels.
This book is a must for all coaches and swimmers.

After having read through the book, it dawned on me that much of the information included in the pages contains facts that I... Read more

Published on June 18, 2002 by Brendon Dedekind

5.0 out of 5 stars An A-Z for swimmers and coaches at all levels.
This book is a must for all coaches and swimmers.

After having read through the book, it dawned on me that much of the information included in the pages contains facts that I... Read more

Published on June 18, 2002 by Brendon Dedekind

5.0 out of 5 stars A true breakthrough for swimmming enthusiasts!
Breakthrough Swimming offers an interesting mix of historical,theoretical and practical information which anyone who wishes to learn more about the sport of competitive swimming... Read more
Published on June 13, 2002 by bbowman65

5.0 out of 5 stars The Tone Setting Book on Swimming for the New Millennium.
A Review of Colwin's:
Breakthrough Swimming

This book has it all: descriptions of historical swimming moments, explanations of the controversies surrounding the use of... Read more

Published on April 30, 2002 by Dr. Jack Kelso

5.0 out of 5 stars Challenges Readers to Breakthrough Performances
In his newest book Colwin places the sport of swimming in the historical context of continuous breakthroughs to new levels of human performance. Read more
Published on April 12, 2002 by Charlie Yourd

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