By Torrey Hart
June 30th, 2019

SwimSwam thanks SwimmersBest for sponsoring “Drill of the Month.” This is a SwimSwam recurring feature that brings drills and idea submissions from various creative and innovative coaches all over the world.

This month the drill comes to us from Jan Charles Mittemeyer, head coach and owner of TNT Swimming in Daphne, Alabama. TNT won Southeastern Swimming championships in the small team division at the 2007 and 2010 Southeastern Short Course Championships, and at the 2007 and 2011 Long Course Championships. Locally, the team won the 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2015 SES South District 8 & under boys team titles, as well the 2008, 2015 and 2016 titles for 8 & under girls.

The videos below show a twist on the traditional backstroke arm speed spin drill, combining it with a cup-balancing drill.

“The spin drill helps initiate the catch in backstroke and the cup helps center and align the neck and head for a smooth body and shoulder rotation,” Mittemeyer told SwimSwam.

HOW TO PERFORM SPIN BACKSTROKE, WITH A TWIST
1. Place a paper cup on your head with enough water in it to balance.
2. In a slightly upright position, swim backstroke with an increased stroke temp.
3. Keep your head steady in order to balance the cup.

The first swimmer in each video is Levenia Sim, who recently broke the national age group record in the 11-12 girls’ 50 backstroke.

CHECK OUT THE DRILL BELOW: