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Swim Speed Secrets: Master the Freestyle Technique Used by the World's Fastest Swimmers, 2nd Edition (Swim Speed Series) Paperback – April 22, 2018

by Sheila Taormina (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 526 ratings
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The world’s top swimmers know the secrets to swimming faster. Now you can too! In Swim Speed Secrets, 4-time Olympian, gold medalist, and triathlon world champion Sheila Taormina is your guide to unlocking speed.

Over the course of 4 Olympic Games and throughout her career as a world champion triathlete, Taormina refined her exceptional technique as a student of the sport, studying the world’s best swimmers using underwater photographs and video analysis. Her smart, clear coaching will help any swimmer or triathlete learn the fastest way to swim.

From Johnny Weissmuller to Michael Phelps, the world’s fastest swimmers share two common elements: high stroke rate and a high-elbow underwater pull. Many swimmers and triathletes neglect the underwater pull, distracted by stroke count or perfecting less critical details like body position, streamlining, and roll. Swim Speed Secrets focuses on producing power—the most crucial element of swimming—to help swimmers and triathletes overhaul their swim stroke and find the speed that’s been eluding them.

With a commonsense approach that comes from decades of practice and years of hands-on coaching experience, Taormina shows swimmers how to transition to faster swimming. Swim Speed Secrets includes:
  • The best drills to cultivate a more sensitive feel for the water
  • Dryland and strength building exercises to develop arm position and upper body musculature
  • Crisp photos of Olympic swimmers and variations in their high-elbow underwater pull
  • Clear descriptions of the key moments of the underwater pull
  • Tips that helped her perform at a world-class level for two decades

New to this 2nd edition:
  • Guidance on stroke path, stroke timing, hand speed change, and overwater recovery.
  • Visual proof of the curvilinear stroke path using Taormina’s patent-pending grid analysis tool.
  • Further instruction on stroke rate, and a “gears” system to guide workouts.
  • New drills to cultivate technique and feel for the water, and dryland exercises to develop arm position and upper-body musculature.

Sheila Taormina’s Swim Speed Secrets brings the focus back where it belongs: to a powerful underwater stroke. With this approach, triathletes and swimmers can stop swimming for survival and break through to new levels of speed and confidence in the water.
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Previous page
  1. Part of series
    Swim Speed
  2. Print length
    200 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    VeloPress
  5. Publication date
    April 22, 2018
  6. Dimensions
    7 x 0.75 x 9 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    1937715817
  8. ISBN-13
    978-1937715816
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"The concept of 'holding' water and generating propulsion is fundamental to swimming performance, and Sheila's book clearly unlocks the secrets of this through words and vivid underwater photos. It is what every top swimmer trains and searches for each day at practice, and it is what allowed me to win Olympic medals as a teenager and into my 40s." -- Dara Torres, 12-time Olympic medalist

"Freestyle gone funky on you? Stuck in a rut where you can't seem to get faster? Swim Speed Secrets could be the cure for the freestyle blues. Master swimmers and coaches at every level can learn something from this book" ¦Both the book and [the Swim Speed Workouts] training program are outstanding." -- USMS Swimmer magazine

"In her book, Sheila Taormina gives a great understanding of the art of high performance swimming. With her help, you can stop swimming for survival and start swimming like a pro." -- Laura Bennett, 2010 ITU #1-ranked swimmer, four-time ITU World Triathlon Championship medalist, Olympian, and two-time U.S. triathlon champion

"Sheila Taormina's ideas on swimming have influenced me and my swim coaching more than anyone else. Her knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm are unmatched. Her book is the best resource out there to help all different types of athletes improve their swim." -- Siri Lindley, ITU Triathlon World Champion and coach to triathlon world champions and Olympic medalists

"Sheila's book Swim Speed Secrets is the best swim manual--PERIOD!" -- Ashley Whitney, Olympic gold medalist

"Sheila T. is just 5' 2" but she swims like she is 6' 2". We still use her as a model for our swimmers today on how to swim the strokes." -- Jack Bauerle, Team USA Olympic Swim Coach and Head Coach of the University of Georgia swim team

"[Swim Speed Secrets] is a ripper! [It was] great to get a no-b.s. perspective on swimming from a champion." -- Chris McCormack, 2-time Ironman ® World Champion

"Taormina's Swim Speed Secrets is a compendium and reference, a tool box no triathlon swimmer can afford to ignore" ¦ Taormina has seen thousands of open-water and competitive swimmers of all levels...The insights and lessons provided in Swim Speed Secrets are the distillation of those decades of experience, thousands of hours of coaching and training and thousands of competitions in only 174 pages" ¦This book is a more effective training aid than paddles, a kickboard and even a swimming pool. Swim Speed Secrets is your most important swim tool." -- TriSports.com

"Sheila possesses a great depth of knowledge and passion about swimming that she has often shared with me and many other athletes. Her new book will be a very useful tool to anyone who wants to improve their performance in the water." -- Leanda Cave, ITU Triathlon World Champion and ITU Long-Distance Triathlon World Champion

"As a lifelong coach, the four-time Olympian shares what she's learned with clarity and authority, explaining all of the small details that go into mastering freestyle." -- LAVA magazine

From the Back Cover

THE WORLD’S TOP SWIMMERS KNOW THE SECRETS TO SWIMMING FASTER. NOW YOU CAN TOO!

Sheila Taormina is your guide to unlocking speed. In this new edition of the best-selling Swim Speed Secrets, the 4-time Olympian and world champion triathlete offers even more insight on mastering freestyle. Her smart, clear coaching will help any swimmer or triathlete learn the fastest way to swim.

Taormina focuses on the most crucial elements of swimming to help athletes overhaul their freestyle stroke and find the speed that’s been eluding them. With Taormina’s method, you will break through to new levels of swimming, speed, and confidence in the water.

NEW TO THE 2ND EDITION:

· Vivid underwater photos featuring top swimmers, including 2016 Olympic medalists Jack Conger and Townley Haas.

· Guidance on stroke path, stroke timing, hand speed change, and overwater recovery.

· Visual proof of the curvilinear stroke path using Taormina’s patent-pending grid analysis tool.

· Further instruction on stroke rate, and a “gears” system to guide workouts.

· New drills to cultivate technique and feel for the water, and dryland exercises to develop arm position and upper-body musculature.

SHEILA TAORMINA has competed in four Olympic games in three sports―swimming, triathlon, and modern pentathlon. Her exceptional freestyle technique led her to gold medals in the 1996 Olympics and the 2004 ITU Triath­lon World Championship. Taormina has coached swimmers for two decades and conducts swim clinics around the world. She is the author of Swim Speed Strokes and Swim Speed Workouts.

“Sheila’s book clearly unlocks the secrets.” ―DARA TORRES, 12-TIME OLYMPIC MEDALIST

“ Sheila Taormina knows more about correct freestyle technique and mechanics than any other coach on the planet.” ―STEVE HAUFLER, HEAD COACH OF THE ORINDA COUNTRY CLUB & ORINDA AQUATICS MASTERS

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ VeloPress; 2nd edition (April 22, 2018)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 200 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1937715817
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1937715816
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7 x 0.75 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 526 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
526 global ratings
Excellent explanation of optimum freestyle technique
5 Stars
Excellent explanation of optimum freestyle technique
I am an age group triathlete (M60, olympic distance) who is seeking to improve his pull. The explanations in the book are lucid and supported by excellent images. For the next edition I'd suggest the inclusion of EOlab recordings. One of the key findings when I started training with EOlab Swimbetter handsets, was too much downward force cause by the absence of a proper catch. The book explained to me the 4 elements of an elite catch in terms that I could understand - now my tracings are getting better. I wish there was a 3rd edition with EO lab recordings in addition to the video analysis of top swimmers.
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Top reviews from the United States

KnoxvilleAl
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2024
Verified Purchase
I thought the book very well written. The pictures were plentiful.
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Martin Biermann
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent explanation of optimum freestyle technique
Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2023
Verified Purchase
I am an age group triathlete (M60, olympic distance) who is seeking to improve his pull. The explanations in the book are lucid and supported by excellent images. For the next edition I'd suggest the inclusion of EOlab recordings. One of the key findings when I started training with EOlab Swimbetter handsets, was too much downward force cause by the absence of a proper catch. The book explained to me the 4 elements of an elite catch in terms that I could understand - now my tracings are getting better. I wish there was a 3rd edition with EO lab recordings in addition to the video analysis of top swimmers.
Customer image
Martin Biermann
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent explanation of optimum freestyle technique
Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2023
I am an age group triathlete (M60, olympic distance) who is seeking to improve his pull. The explanations in the book are lucid and supported by excellent images. For the next edition I'd suggest the inclusion of EOlab recordings. One of the key findings when I started training with EOlab Swimbetter handsets, was too much downward force cause by the absence of a proper catch. The book explained to me the 4 elements of an elite catch in terms that I could understand - now my tracings are getting better. I wish there was a 3rd edition with EO lab recordings in addition to the video analysis of top swimmers.
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One person found this helpful
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Atom
4.0 out of 5 stars Swim Speed Secrets Indeed
Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2015
Verified Purchase
I've been reading and re-reading for the past few weeks, and incorporating into my swimming as much as possible. I wish I has seen this book's synopsis or premise sooner like when I first started out. I started with TI (and don't regret it per se) but it steered me away from bothering with or learning about the catch too deeply. TI set the stage (allowed me to put faith in technique over brawn) so I'm having a good time trying to apply the principals in this book, at least the ones that I can. I don't have access to a Halo table and exercise tubing, but I'm trying to apply all the other drills and technique info to take my swimming to a different level. Several of her explanations about developing the catch really helped illuminate the process -- or at least seem to really connect the dots for me. I would still have appreciated a deeper examination or more pictures showing the form elements to strive for. Overall though, well worth it and a really refreshing perspective about what it takes to make oneself faster. Cheers.
One person found this helpful
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eden
5.0 out of 5 stars If only one swim book to get faster - this is it!
Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2012
Verified Purchase
I listened to a swim podcast with Sheila Taormina and felt that she had really gotten it, so I bought her book. I do not regret it. She explains the elements of speed perfectly, and her application of the Pareto principle (80/20) to the stroke, leading her to a focus on the catch and pull, is very clever.

She gives you the important drills and elements to focus on. It really helped me to focus my swim workouts. Since reading her book, I only do the drills she recommends, and of course, regular freestyle. She also recommend specific dry land training to develop specific strength for the catch and pull. I got the tubing she recommends and have been happy with it.

Sheila really writes with passion, which makes the book very readable. As the shortest female to win Olympic gold since 1921, it is obvious that she put a lot of effort into understanding the stroke and beating others by perfecting the technique. Also - her transition to triathlon and pentathlon underscores the point that she has an outstanding ability to study a technique, break it down, and perfect it.

About me: I came into swimming late via triathlon. I had gotten a few swim books and DVDs before getting Sheila's book. I had taken lessons. I am not a good swimmer by any means, by I did qualify for US National Age Group Championship in 5150. Her approach has definitely made swimming more enjoyable, and step by step, faster.
4 people found this helpful
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Sebastian Fernandez
5.0 out of 5 stars Exactly what I needed!
Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2013
Verified Purchase
Before talking about the book I will give you some background on myself so you can understand where I am coming from. I was a competitive swimmer when I was a teenager, between the ages of twelve and sixteen, then got bored and stopped for 20 years and only occasionally would I get back in the pool for a few months at a time. A couple of years ago I decided to get in shape, so I started swimming again and got into triathlons. My swimming technique was decent, but I definitely needed a refresher, so being a triathlete I found the advice most triathletes swear by: Total Immersion (TI).

Some of what I discovered in TI was useful, but I already had decent body position and many of the things they recommend there made no sense. The whole swimming through the eye of the needle felt odd, and there was too much body rotation for what I remembered feeling when swimming in my youth. I got the pointers I thought were good and together with the enhanced fitness I was doing fine. But I got to a point in which I was not getting any faster and there was definitely still room for improvement. Luckily, that is when I found this book!

When I started reading Taormina's book, I was really encouraged by some of her points, especially her comments about how gliding forever is not going to get you to be really fast and also that the pull is much more important than body position. The author goes to great lengths to explain the correct technique that should be used for the underwater pull, together with many pictures taken using herself as a subject, but also using other well-known pros in the sport. After you read through the explanations you will have a very clear sense of what is needed to go fast in the pool. Also, for the "unbelievers", she provides quite a bit of proof about the point she is making regarding the overwhelming importance of the pull compared to other aspects.

The drills are also magnificent! You may be familiar as I was with most of them, but after reading her explanation and watching her online videos on how to do them properly and highlighting what to focus on, I realized that I was not working on the right things. It is hard work to spend a good portion of practice each time I get in the pool working purely on technique and forgetting about the clock, but this has made me considerably faster already. If you really want to get faster and are not afraid to do the work to get there, I recommend you get this book. I also bought her workouts:  Swim Speed Workouts for Swimmers and Triathletes: The Breakout Plan for Your Fastest Freestyle (Swim Speed Series) , and they have also being truly helpful.
4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Obede Davi
5.0 out of 5 stars Focus on essential
Reviewed in Brazil on April 12, 2023
Verified Purchase
I swam competitively till 16. After 21 years (i am 37 now) without swimming i decided to return and went to some coachs, teachers and clinics, all of then wasted so much time on glide, elbow recovery, core etc. after reading Taormina’s book and implement her drills to my training i Improved my 100 freestyle by 10seconds… after 90 days back on swimming focusing on her drills i am doing 100 free under 1 minute, and during practice my 100s has been 1:10 without huge effort…great book. And u need only one afternoon to read and decide to implement her drills
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Vultz
5.0 out of 5 stars Valuable information
Reviewed in Canada on April 15, 2022
Verified Purchase
Theories behind the techniques and concepts are backed up by her own experience and observations of athletes she coaches.
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Jorge González
4.0 out of 5 stars Very good book, so helpful.
Reviewed in Mexico on September 11, 2021
Verified Purchase
Really good, the images are very helpful to compare the differences in techniques and the advantages it implies. I give it as a gift and she likes it a lot.
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Miromax
5.0 out of 5 stars Fondamentale
Reviewed in Italy on August 12, 2022
Verified Purchase
Sono un nuotatore Master piuttosto esperto e colleziono libri sul nuoto. Questo parla delle cose essenziali, fondamentalmente della prima fase di presa d’acqua nello stile libero (the catch), che vale da sola l’80% di tutta la bracciata. Consigliabile a tutti quelli che nuotano seriamente e non hanno fatto agonismo da giovani.
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Dr. Chrilly Donninger
5.0 out of 5 stars 6 Sterne
Reviewed in Germany on July 31, 2022
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Ich betätige mich seit einiger Zeit als Grenzschwimmer am Klausteich zwischen dem Waldviertler und Mühlviertler Hochland. Von meiner Jugend an bin ich immer Brust geschwommen. Vor 2 Jahren habe ich das Kraulen entdeckt. Das ist mit 60+ nicht mehr so leicht zu erlernen bzw. ich habe mir einiges falsch eingelernt. Dieses Buch erklärt im Detail wie es richtig geht. Die absolute Stärke sind die detaillierten Bildstudien von Weltklasse Schwimmern. Die Autorin weiss als mehrfache Olympionikin wovon sie spricht.
Es ist das am besten gemachte Sportbuch dass mir bisher untergekommen ist. Vermutlich werde ich trotzdem kein perfekter Kraulschwimmer. Aber ich weiß nun zumindest, wie es gehen würde.
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