Practice Starts when No Diving Allowed?

RE: Practice Starts when No Diving Allowed?

Rob Copeland — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 12:06:27 GMT

Is there a USA Swimming club in your area?

RE: Practice Starts when No Diving Allowed?

m2tall2 — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 11:42:53 GMT

I'm glad for you that you have a great pool situation where you live but like I said, DI 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. I've even looked into forming a workout group (since there's only one within an hour and fifteen minute drive and its just not affordable for me right now) but I don't think I can get the number of swimmers needed to make the pool rental cost affordable. I wish I lived in an area where a private pool would even be a consideration but people just don't build ingrounds in the Northeast. So, I'm trying to find a way to make this situation work the best I can until I can find or make an option that's more consistent. Plyometrics sounds reasonable...maybe with a medicine ball? Can anyone think of an exercise that would allow some work on the out motion? Thanks again!

RE: Practice Starts when No Diving Allowed?

Bill Sive — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 10:16:13 GMT

I am sure you have called every pool in your area (colleges, universities, high schools) to explain your needs. Main requirements is that a pool is supposed to be at least 9ft deep for diving. Try Craig's List and see if you can utilize someone's pool, or Task Rabbit and see if you can rent someone's pool for a while. If you do Craig's List or Task Rabbit remember to take a friend along don't go someplace strange without a buddy system in place. Hard to believe your situation as I have access to multiple pools and they all allow diving. Not all of them allow diving off the starting blocks, but you can dive from the pool deck. One pool even allows us to to a running dive into the pool. Good Luck.

RE: Practice Starts when No Diving Allowed?

m2tall2 — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 07:05:15 GMT

Is there a dive team in your area? Dive teams usually practice their dives utilizing dryland methods. Consult your local dive team if there is one in your area. Oooo...that's an interesting idea. Its not a thing with the high schools around here but I bet one of the college teams may point me in the right direction. Actually, I'd make a bet they do a lot of training at gymnastics facilities and I happen to know a USA Gymnastics coach pretty well and I could ask her if she has any ideas.

RE: Practice Starts when No Diving Allowed?

m2tall2 — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 06:55:26 GMT

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.

RE: Practice Starts when No Diving Allowed?

Bill Sive — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 04:01:00 GMT

Is there a dive team in your area? Dive teams usually practice their dives utilizing dryland methods. Consult your local dive team if there is one in your area.

RE: Practice Starts when No Diving Allowed?

knelson — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 03:40:52 GMT

RE: Practice Starts when No Diving Allowed?

Gary P — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 03:15:24 GMT

I'm pretty sure that would get you kicked out at the YMCA here in town, especially if you didn't stop after the first dive. I can't imagine one dive would make all that much difference to the OP's technique. I agree with Rob about the sprint/start lane at meets. Anything else would seem to be too involved (at least in my eyes), unless you happen to be looking for a team to join. Obviously you stop if they tell you "no." But you'd be surprised how often nobody says anything.

RE: Practice Starts when No Diving Allowed?

smontanaro — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 02:50:01 GMT

When it comes to practicing starts at lap swim, I utilize the axiom "it's better to ask for forgiveness than permission." I'm pretty sure that would get you kicked out at the YMCA here in town, especially if you didn't stop after the first dive. I can't imagine one dive would make all that much difference to the OP's technique. I agree with Rob about the sprint/start lane at meets. Anything else would seem to be too involved (at least in my eyes), unless you happen to be looking for a team to join.

RE: Practice Starts when No Diving Allowed?

Rob Copeland — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 01:44:44 GMT

When it comes to practicing starts at lap swim, I utilize the axiom "it's better to ask for forgiveness than permission."I wouldn’t suggest this at the pool I use. They are serious about safety and they are likely to kick you out for diving from the blocks.

RE: Practice Starts when No Diving Allowed?

Gary P — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 01:13:46 GMT

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.

RE: Practice Starts when No Diving Allowed?

orca1946 — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 07:16:41 GMT

Where you did the start - are you on a team there? If not , you might want to find out when they practice and ask if you can join in.

RE: Practice Starts when No Diving Allowed?

__steve__ — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 10:21:29 GMT

Weights, plyometrics, and even running 10 second sprints have helped my start conditioning. But there's no replacing actual block time, or simple dives from the side of pool, to get the form tuned in