Last week, Drew Gordon said it's possible for a swimmer to draft in meets if the swimmer gets very close to the lane lines.
This had me thinking: can you really gain something from drafting in a pool when you race? (Don't forget that drafting means you're BEHIND someone!)
And what about swimming near the lane lines in general? is it better than swimming right in the middle of the lane? For all styles?
And swimming in lane 8 or 1 (in a 10 lane pool like they had in Shanghai)?
Is it really far enough from the walls? (I think not but maybe it's just my imagination).
Last week, Drew Gordon said it's possible for a swimmer to draft in meets if the swimmer gets very close to the lane lines.
This had me thinking: can you really gain something from drafting in a pool when you race? (Don't forget that drafting means you're BEHIND someone!)
And what about swimming near the lane lines in general? is it better than swimming right in the middle of the lane? For all styles?
And swimming in lane 8 or 1 (in a 10 lane pool like they had in Shanghai)?
Is it really far enough from the walls? (I think not but maybe it's just my imagination).
I've done it before and it works. If the other swimmer is faster than you or they take their race out harder, those are both good situations to move against the laneline and draft. Also, if you're in a relay and behind, sometimes you'll dive right into that sweet spot. That's exactly what Lezak did in the 400 free relay at Beijing. The key is finding the best time to make a move on the other swimmer, if you are capable of speeding up. As long as you're not circle swimming or hit your arms on the laneline, it doesn't really matter where you swim in the lane.
Last week, Drew Gordon said it's possible for a swimmer to draft in meets if the swimmer gets very close to the lane lines.
This had me thinking: can you really gain something from drafting in a pool when you race? (Don't forget that drafting means you're BEHIND someone!)
And what about swimming near the lane lines in general? is it better than swimming right in the middle of the lane? For all styles?
And swimming in lane 8 or 1 (in a 10 lane pool like they had in Shanghai)?
Is it really far enough from the walls? (I think not but maybe it's just my imagination).
I've done it before and it works. If the other swimmer is faster than you or they take their race out harder, those are both good situations to move against the laneline and draft. Also, if you're in a relay and behind, sometimes you'll dive right into that sweet spot. That's exactly what Lezak did in the 400 free relay at Beijing. The key is finding the best time to make a move on the other swimmer, if you are capable of speeding up. As long as you're not circle swimming or hit your arms on the laneline, it doesn't really matter where you swim in the lane.
