We have threads about each stroke and about kicking, so i thought it would be good to have one about starts and turns to deal with questions and tips.
When I transitioned from the grab start to the track start i had a great deal of trouble with repeatability. I was either too deep or too shallow. Through trial and error i discovered that if I focused on getting a good push from my rear leg my entry was much more consistent, YMMV.
Hey guys!
Great discussion... interested to hear what you have to say about back starts... wedged vs. flat wall vs. toes on gutter vs the old stand-up.
(I do realize the toes and stand-up are again against the rules, but, hey.. just for fun!)
I was taught the standup start as a little kid, but by the time I figured out how to actually do 'em, they became illegal.
I never learned how to do a good (ok, to be honest, a "not-terrible") backstroke start from the block handle as an age grouper, so up until the last year or so, I only ever did backstroke starts using the gutter. It's been a pretty steep learning curve, since I have to change the foot placement, butt position, and upper body position that's become muscle memory from 20+ years of repetition to get a start that's not a total backflop, but I can more often than not get an ok start from the block handle now as long as the touch pad isn't a really slippery one.
I am really not a fan of the Colorado Timing Systems backstroke wedge, mostly from several frustrating user experiences with it at meets (and partially from a philosophical standpoint regarding its price), but the one I've used with the fixed non-retractable cord was ok.
Hey guys!
Great discussion... interested to hear what you have to say about back starts... wedged vs. flat wall vs. toes on gutter vs the old stand-up.
(I do realize the toes and stand-up are again against the rules, but, hey.. just for fun!)
I was taught the standup start as a little kid, but by the time I figured out how to actually do 'em, they became illegal.
I never learned how to do a good (ok, to be honest, a "not-terrible") backstroke start from the block handle as an age grouper, so up until the last year or so, I only ever did backstroke starts using the gutter. It's been a pretty steep learning curve, since I have to change the foot placement, butt position, and upper body position that's become muscle memory from 20+ years of repetition to get a start that's not a total backflop, but I can more often than not get an ok start from the block handle now as long as the touch pad isn't a really slippery one.
I am really not a fan of the Colorado Timing Systems backstroke wedge, mostly from several frustrating user experiences with it at meets (and partially from a philosophical standpoint regarding its price), but the one I've used with the fixed non-retractable cord was ok.
