Last Updated on January 11, 2023 by admin
In this article, we’ll provide advice, progressive drills, hacks and tips on the undervalued but key swimming technique of the doggy paddle.
What is the doggy paddle?
The doggy paddle is a basic swimming technique that focuses on the underwater catch and the pull of the arm strokes that resemble the actions used by a dog when swimming, hence its name.
- Although it’s often taught by learn-to-swim teachers, doggy paddle drills are regularly used by some of the world’s top swimmers.
The benefits of the doggy paddle
The doggy paddle can provide a swimmer with a series of benefits. These include,
An introductory swimming drill
The series of doggy paddle drills are used by many swimming teachers as a ‘learn-to-swim technique’
Improving the freestyle technique
The doggy paddle is used by many swimming coaches to improve a swimmer’s freestyle technique.
- Some swimmers pull with an arm stroke that is too wide and away from their body.
- Other swimmers cross their arm stroke over the centre line of their body.
- These are both ineffective arm strokes, often causing the swimmer to snake through the water.
- The doggy paddle is an effective drill to help correct these technical faults.
To develop a feel for the water
The doggy paddle is an effective drill that can help a swimmer develop their catch and help them to develop a feel for the water.
- A feel for the water is the ability of a swimmer to place their hands and arms in the correct position, with the right amount of force to obtain maximum propulsion.
Related article on developing a feel for the water
We have produced a related article on developing a feel for the water. Which you can view by clicking this link: developing a feel for the water
To develop arm and core strength
The doggy paddle is an effective drill for developing a swimmer’s arm and core strength.
Related article on developing your swimming core
We have produced a related article on developing your swimming core. You can view it by clicking this link: developing your swimming core
As a recovery swim
The doggy paddle can be used as an effective recovery swim.
- Recovery swims are those sets and/or repetitions (reps) that are performed at a slow swimming pace to enable the swimmer to recover from the rigors of the training during a session.
- The doggy paddle can also be used as a part of a warm-up and /or cool-down.
Related article on recovery swims
We have produced a related article on recovery swims an introduction. You can view it by clicking this link: recovery swims
As a fun drill
The doggy paddle can be a great way of introducing some fun into a training session.
- It can even be used as a fun relay.
Related article on swimming training making it fun
We have produced a related article on swimming training making it fun. You can view it by clicking this link: on swimming training making it fun
As a high-intensity drill
The doggy paddle requires the swimmer to continually move their arms against the resistance of the water, with no glide phase.
- This makes a quick-tempo doggy paddle, an effective drill for use in a high-intensity training set.
Doggy paddle drills
Doggy paddle drill
Introduction: An undervalued drill, the doggy paddle is great for developing and maintaining the swimmers sculling skills and feel for the water, during the catch (pull) phase of the freestyle stroke.
How to perform this drill:
- From a push and glide from the wall at the end of the pool.
- The swimmer starts this drill in the horizontal/prone position.
- The swimmer’s head should be out of the water, looking forward, upright and still.
- The swimmer proceeds with a series of alternate arm sculls.
- They should ensure they extend their arms with their palms face down, fully into the catch position.
- They should continue the sculling motion with their wrists up and their fingers pointing down to the bottom of the pool, in a straight line, back to their chest.
- Swimmers should recover their hands and arms back into the catch position, underwater.
- They should ensure they rotate at the hips during each arm pull
- They should also ensure they are performing a strong and steady flutter kick.
- The swimmer’s feet should be in a pointed plantar flexion position. (see diagram above)
- Complete this progression for one length of the pool (25m)
- Younger or less experienced swimmers may benefit from using a noodle across their chest and under their armpits for extra support.
Long dog drill
Introduction: Once they have mastered the doggy paddle drill, swimmers should move on to the long dog drill.
How to perform this drill:
- The long dog drill is similar to the doggy paddle drill
- However, for this drill, the swimmer is required to perform a longer full extended arm stroke
- With them pulling their hands close to their body, finishing at the hips.
- Swimmers should recover their hands and arms back into the catch position, underwater.
Full dog drill
Introduction: Once they have mastered the long dog drill, swimmers should move on to the full dog drill.
- The full dog drill is similar to the long dog drill
- Head up out of the water
- However, the swimmer is allowed to move their head
- They should focus on rotating both their hips and shoulders
- Swimmers should recover their hands and arms back into the catch position, underwater.
Full dog-immersed drill
Introduction: Once mastered the full dog drill, swimmers can move on to the full dog immersed drill.
How to perform this drill:
- This requires the swimmer to perform the drill with a fully extended catch and a pull finishing at the thighs.
- The swimmer’s head should be fully immersed.
- They should employ freestyle bilateral breathing.
- Swimmers should ensure that they rotate their trunks and hips to facilitate a long stroke.
- Swimmers should recover their hands and arms back into the catch position, underwater.
- Swimmers may also benefit from using a snorkel, a pull buoy, hand paddles or swim fins.
Takeaways
The doggy Paddle is a basic swimming technique that resembles the actions used by a dog when swimming, hence its name.
The doggy paddle can provide the swimmer with a series of benefits. These include,
- An introductory swimming drill
- Improving the freestyle technique
- To develop a feel for the water
- To develop arm and core strength
- As a recovery swim
- Used as a fun drill
- As a high-intensity drill
Related publication: FREESTYLE Competitive Swimming Drills
We have published a related publication: FREESTYLE Competitive Swimming Drills
- This publication provides coaches, teachers and swimmers with over 90 tried and tested competitive freestyle drills and progressions.
- For further details and ordering information please use the following link: FREESTYLE Competitive Swimming Drills
Related publication: Swimming Plus: FREESTYLE
Swimming Plus FREESTYLE is a publication designed for those swimmers who want to improve their freestyle swimming technique.
- Swimming Plus FREESTYLE provides you with a series of structured and progressive session training plans, plus detailed drill descriptions and expert coaching tips.
- With Swimming Plus FREESTYLE, you can progress at your own pace when it’s convenient for you.
For further details and ordering information please use the following link: Swimming Plus: Freestyle
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- To access any article simply click on the attached page link: swimming resource library
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