Freestyle Makeover
Getting the "Catch" or "Anchor" Into Your Underwater Pull
by Kris Houchens >>> Photos by Peter Bick
Poor technique can keep swimmers from getting better, or lead to injuries that prevent them from swimming at all. In freestyle, it’s important to under¬stand the concept of the “catch” or “anchor” in the underwater pull. YMCA Indy SwimFit Coach Kris Houchens offers some drills to teach this important concept.

Are You On A Training Plateau? read>>
How to Get Off Your Plateau
by Susan Dawson-Cook >>> Illustrated by Rick Gutierrez
Masters swimmers who do the same workouts every week often get stuck on a plateau. Coaches seem to agree that swimmers must change something in their workouts to experience continued improvement. Minor tweaks and major overhauls both can make a world of difference in whether swimmers get unstuck.

Dynamic Duo
Brandon Drawz and Dennis Baker Pool Their Resources
by Margaret Phillips
The 20-year friendship of Dennis Baker and Brandon Drawz helped bring about the renovation of the Mt. Hood Community College Aquatic Center and won them a bid for the 2008 USMS Long Course Nationals.

From the Editor

No More Mr. Nice Guy by Bill Volckening

Letters

Wetsuits are for Wimps by Robert Webber

Leif Erikson Imitator by Ronnie Kamphausen

What is really important? by Ashley Jones

Executive Address

Touching the Wall in the USMS SWIMMER Relay by Rob Copeland

Swimming Life

Inspirational Swimmers at usmsswimmer.com
 Web Extras: My Team Gave Me a Chance , Thank You, Swim Across America , Two Survivors Inspire Others

YMCA Nationals

Wheeler Receives Paragon Award

Records Tumble at IGLA Championships

Wainwright Takes the Plunge

Taormina Makes History

Marvin Moves North

Training & Technique

Five Fast Facts - 100 IM

Readers Ask: Praying Mantis Breaststroke?

Stretching: Before or After?

Recently Read: "Your First Triathlon," by Joe Friel

Flying Arm Helpful for Flip Turns?

Is Hoofing It Good for Swimmers?

Web Workout by Steven Lintz read>>

My Favorite Practice by Katherine Branch

The Healthy Swimmer read>>

In Season - Basil

Reader Recipe: Simple Pesto

How Many Calories Burned?

Readers Ask: Help! I Smell Like Chlorine!

Cryptosporidium in the News

Advice for Allergic Swimmers

Swim Bag

Nutrition

Inside USMS

USMS Hires New Executive Director

SWIMMER Annual Planning Provides Direction for 2009

Rules Corner: Sanctioned vs. Recognized

On Deck

Splashback

Ins and Outs of the Get-Out Swim by Melissa Minetola Leddy read>>