How should one prepare for starts when you're not allowed to use the blocks? Or even the side of the pool. The other day since I was the only one at the pool and the head lifeguard was on duty I got a chance to go off the blocks for the first time in a gazillion years. Holy moly! After diving in, completing a lap was a struggle. Could be my technique is gone, could be lack of strength (probably both) but the only thing for sure is a single start sucked the life out of me. Unfortunately, getting this opportunity was an anomaly and I can't count on getting to practice them again before the rare meet I can attend. I could go at length about the options I've looked into but the bottom line is getting opportunities for starts just isn't going to happen unless the moon and stars collide.
So what can I do to prep for starts?
Anything that I might be able to do in the pool to mimic the force I felt all around me (which I'm pretty sure was what sucked my energy)?
I feel like I asked this question years ago but I can't find any similar threads.
Thanks so much for your help!
When it comes to practicing starts at lap swim, I utilize the axiom "it's better to ask for forgiveness than permission." I find that if you act real serious, nobody stops you regardless of what the policy supposedly is. I start by standing behind the block, using it to do some stretches. Then I do some arm windmills, then bend over at the waist and do some vertical jumps somewhat simulating a start. Then I put my goggles on, stand behind the block with both hands on it, and do the "1000 mile stare" down the lane. Then, with my focus never shifting away from dead forward, I slowly climb on the block, get in the starting position, and go. Whatever you do, never look at a lifeguard at any point in the process like you're wondering if its OK. Act like its normal. Most of the time, nobody says a thing to me. When they do, I say something like, "I'm on the Masters swim team and am training for a big meet coming up soon." Almost invariably, they respond with "Oh, OK" and we both go about our business.
If that doesn't work for you, remember that there's usually a dedicated "sprint lane" during warm up at a maters meet where you can practice race starts off the blocks.
When it comes to practicing starts at lap swim, I utilize the axiom "it's better to ask for forgiveness than permission." I find that if you act real serious, nobody stops you regardless of what the policy supposedly is. I start by standing behind the block, using it to do some stretches. Then I do some arm windmills, then bend over at the waist and do some vertical jumps somewhat simulating a start. Then I put my goggles on, stand behind the block with both hands on it, and do the "1000 mile stare" down the lane. Then, with my focus never shifting away from dead forward, I slowly climb on the block, get in the starting position, and go. Whatever you do, never look at a lifeguard at any point in the process like you're wondering if its OK. Act like its normal. Most of the time, nobody says a thing to me. When they do, I say something like, "I'm on the Masters swim team and am training for a big meet coming up soon." Almost invariably, they respond with "Oh, OK" and we both go about our business.
If that doesn't work for you, remember that there's usually a dedicated "sprint lane" during warm up at a maters meet where you can practice race starts off the blocks.
