Practice Starts when No Diving Allowed?

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!
Parents
  • You might have better luck during non-lap swimming times. Often the diving boards will be open then and it seems like there'd be a chance the guards would let you practice diving from the side as long as you're in an area where it's safe to do so. This might be the answer. I might have to go during "family swim" on the weekend just to paddle around and get a few dives off the side. I think one of the reasons it's not allowed at all during lap swim is because the lanes are too crowded. But I know I've seen bigger kids jump in during family swim, so I suppose I could do a few starts from the side. Maybe skip the pullouts and SDKs.
Reply
  • You might have better luck during non-lap swimming times. Often the diving boards will be open then and it seems like there'd be a chance the guards would let you practice diving from the side as long as you're in an area where it's safe to do so. This might be the answer. I might have to go during "family swim" on the weekend just to paddle around and get a few dives off the side. I think one of the reasons it's not allowed at all during lap swim is because the lanes are too crowded. But I know I've seen bigger kids jump in during family swim, so I suppose I could do a few starts from the side. Maybe skip the pullouts and SDKs.
Children
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