Ray Looze is one of the most prolific backstroke coaches in the country. His highly successful approach to teaching and coaching the stroke can be characterized as "keeping it simple." In this presentation, Looze is joined by two of his elite backstrokers, both NCAA All Americans and members of the World University Games U.S. Team.

At the center of Looze's backstroke technique are four primary sequential drills he uses to teach the technical components of the stroke. For each drill, Looze details the purpose of the drill, and the technical components that each drill compliments. Looze interviews his swimmers about each aspect of backstroke, interspersing their commentary with demonstrations in the pool. This swimmer initiated feedback is invaluable for both swimmers and coaches.

Also of great benefit are the tips that Looze offers throughout the drill instruction on how he varies his backstroke techniques for the sprint events versus the longer backstroke events. The variety of camera angles, both above and below water, and the repetition of the demonstrations at full speed and slow motion, paint a clear picture for the viewer. .

Learn to effectively kickout for successful backstroke walls. Looze details how to test and execute proper amplitude and frequency, and specifics on how when to begin the kick after the push off to carry maximum speed from the wall into the kickout. You'll also see techniques for body position and the importance of incorporating the core to drive undulation.

Full stroke demonstrations connect the kickout to the stroke and include narrations of what a coach should watch for to avoid common errors that occur in the stroke.

Looze next moves to the backstroke start. He shares variables to consider in individualizing the start to be most beneficial to the swimmer.

In the backstroke turn segment, Looze's focus is on how to transition from the back to the belly quickly and the importance of making the last stroke into the wall a freestyle stroke. The breakout from the turn is also detailed with a focus on making the first two strokes very fast in an effort to get the body back on the surface of the water.

In the final segment of the presentation, Looze demonstrates six training aids he incorporates to enhance technique training. Learn to use bands, paddles, a pulley system, tarps, therabands and even tennis shoes to build power for great distance per stroke and endurance.

Coaches and swimmers at all levels will gain a greater appreciation of the components of great backstroke. Comprehensive coverage of the stroke make this a great blueprint for new swimmers and coaches to build a training strategy. Established coaches will get a look at Coach Looze's backstroke innovations that have helped his swimmers use a wider Y entry and a more shallow pull to get a dynamic catch and faster tempo.

65 minutes. 2012.

Generate maximum force to propel your body toward a personal best!

On Deck
Coach Kredich begins this presentation on deck with a physics lesson on the movement properties of the backstroke. The movement properties are clearly illustrated using a Vasa Trainer, making it easy to view and understand these critical concepts.

Though scientific, Kredich simplifies the science of the stroke.

Kredich specifies arm action to teach when it is important to minimize drag and when it is imperative to maximize drag by presenting a greater surface area to generate maximum forward momentum. This discussion involves specific hand placement upon entry and how to use the levers of the arm to generate force through the arm pull and the finish.

Kredich next shows boxing drills that teach a swimmer how to engage the entire body in rotational movements that are strong and stable.

Moving to the Kick, Kredich uses the Vasa Trainer to show how to present surface area of the feet and legs to the direction of the flow. Also, how best to send water back with the feet to generate forward propulsion. In the water, Kredich presents a 5-step drill progression designed to teach the kicking concepts for backstroke. You'll see how to connect the kick with rotation and then progress into connecting the kick into the recovery, catch position and arm pull.

In the Pool
Kredich shows the power a backstroker can get from proper arm action. He includes four drills for teaching swimmers great arm pull. Kredich specifies the focus of each drill and how it technically connects to the full stroke.

The Catch segment features three unique drills to train your swimmer to get the hand into a catch position that is loaded and ready to generate force.

A full stroke backstroke segment follows showing how each of the drills connects to various focus points of the stroke.

In the Stabilization segment, Kredich presents four drills dedicated to keeping the hips stable in the stroke, an area that Kredich believes is imperative to successful backstroke swimming. These drills force the swimmer to engage the abdominals to help with stabilization of the hips.

In Dolphin Kick Drills, Kredich uses eight drills to teach and train the kick-out that includes the entire process from the push-off into the dolphin kick, and through the transition into the breakout arm stroke and the flutter kick transition. Drills in this segment make the swimmer realize how to develop explosiveness by understanding the technique of the dolphin kick and feeling the power that can be generated in a single kick.

As an added bonus, Kredich presents three drills that are designed to assist the swimmer in finding the proper catch position.

Kredich ends this presentation with demonstrations of full stroke backstroke that combines all of the elements that he has presented for swimming a fast, fluid technical backstroke.

92 minutes. 2011.

with Ian Pope, Melbourne Vicentre Swimming Club Head Coach, Olympic and National Team Coach for Australia

Ian Pope shares the key fundamentals he's used in developing legendary Australian Olympic backstroker Matt Welsh and many other world class Australian backstrokers.

Pope's teaching progression includes:

• Body Line: Enable your swimmers to swim tall in the water by teaching them to align their body in the least resistive position possible. Pope connects this body position to the arm cycle demonstrating how to maintain a favorable body position through the arm action with a good catch and body rotation.
• Backstroke Kick: Learn detailed mechanics of good kicking including both the upward and downward motion of the flutter kick. Pope also demonstrates three activities for developing speed and power in the kick.
• Arm Action: Train your swimmers to enter and catch in the "power zone!" Pope demonstrates a series of drills that connect proper body line, recovery, catch, and press-through with proper rotation to assist in helping the swimmer groove a feel for the full stroke.
• Breathing & Stroke Efficiency: Pope discusses the importance of stroke count to assist the swimmer in generating maximum efficiency and includes tips for developing, training and utilizing the underwater kick as a weapon for successful racing.
• Backstroke Starts & Turns: See all aspects of great starts and turns including: The block set up, body motion, clean entry into the water, a simple, efficient turn sequence and more.
• Underwater Fly Kick: Learn a whole body undulation on the fly kick, along with tips on the technical aspects of applying pressure on both the down and up kick actions of the fly kick.
• Breakouts: Pope shows how to transition from the fly kick into the breakout stroke with an emphasis on timing of the first and second strokes off of a start or turn.
• Finishes: Achieve the proper line for a fast and effective finish!

This presentation gives you the key components of backstroke, along with the tips and drills to assist your swimmers in grooving a great feel for the stroke!

53 minutes. 2011.

One of the country's brightest young coaches, Ad'm Dusenberry, delivers a comprehensive backstroke library that details every aspect of competitive backstroke.

This DVD focuses on Dusenbury's "Golden Rules" for backstroke - kicking consistency, streamlining and turnover rate.

In each segment Dusenbery presents instruction in an individual setting, as well as a larger group setting. This allows you to study the technical details of the stroke and see how Dusenberry teaches these techniques in a team setting.

STROKE
Dusenberry presents a five-part breakdown of the backstroke.

TURNS
Dusenbery presents a four-step sequence to teach an effective and efficient backstroke turn. See how he teaches swimmers to count strokes from the flags for wall consistency; how to maximize the crossover stroke into the flip turn; how to build confidence in the turn; and how to push off, kickout and breakout.

STARTS
From a simple gutter start to a block start, Dusenberry shows how to build a start for the developing and advanced backstroker. Great technique for any level of swimmer.

Throughout the presentation, Dusenberry offers tips and observations of the common challenges he works through with his swimmers. This insight is appropriate for coaching any level of backstroker.

This instructional swimming DVD is packed with over 3 hours of information that is sure to assist you in becoming more successful in all phases of coaching backstrokers.

2 DVDs (144 minutes). 2010.

Coach Marsh feels that the key for faster backstroke is simplicity. First, Marsh will help you simplify your body position by teaching you how to achieve a "tall and flat" posture in the water. Simplifying the pull pattern involves a solid bent elbow catch and a straighter linear throw to the finish of the pull that creates a quick transition into the recovery. This simplicity brings about a faster stroke tempo with less energy spent so that you can swim faster longer in backstroke races. To accomplish this system for the stroke, Marsh will take you through a combination of breakdown drills that isolate particular stroke segments and flow drills that connect the isolated components into a flowing efficient stroke. Along with the technique instruction, Marsh will give you "tips" for swimming faster backstroke detailing the stroke, race tips and how to take advantage of utilizing the flags for turns and finishes. Demonstration from World Champion Margaret Hoelzer and NCAA All-American Doug Van Wie greatly enhance this presentation.

55 minutes. 2007.