Our coach shared this article and is encouraging swimmers to wear fins at Masters practice, for ankle flexibility, shoulder stability, preventing fatigue and lessening stroke deterioration.
www.usms.org/tpvrwxvrv.aspx
But I'm against fins at practice unless everyone in the lane has them and we're all using them at the same time. Otherwise, if just one person has them and no-one else does, it's disruptive and I think it's not good for team spirit. One thing I love about Masters is that when you're tired, chances are EVERYONE's tired and you get through it together as a group.
I'm all for fins to warm up with, if you're working on a specific drill and outside of practice, but if everyone's working hard during the main set, and then someone in your lane sails by with fins on, that's bad for the morale of the people not wearing fins because they are working harder and getting fatigued faster.
Am I on my own on this? (If yes, I will meekly go back to my coach in a groveling fashion. With an offering of baked goods.)
I like them towards the end of practice and have no issues with others who choose to use or not use them. There are usually 4-5 of us in the lane. Anyone who puts on fins goes to the front of the line. We all use short fins so it's not adding insane amounts of speed really. For me personally, it helps to keep me in the game if my shoulder is getting sore which deteriorates my stroke technique.
I like them towards the end of practice and have no issues with others who choose to use or not use them. There are usually 4-5 of us in the lane. Anyone who puts on fins goes to the front of the line. We all use short fins so it's not adding insane amounts of speed really. For me personally, it helps to keep me in the game if my shoulder is getting sore which deteriorates my stroke technique.
