Whether or not one is a proponent or opponent of TI, I've started this thread for discussion of technique related questions and ideas. Maybe in futility :rolleyes: but who knows.
I may be somewhat starting to shift to a TI-neutral stance. Being involved in the discussions has led me to do more learning and research. But anyway, I'll even abide up front to a no bickering rule.
The first issue I wanted was to discuss the breaststroke pullout since Mattson brought that piece of research to my attention. Qualified opinions please :D
-RM
Parents
Former Member
RM,
In the best breaststrokers over the last 20 years the trend has been to go further and stay underwater longer. This is partially due to the modern streamline that allows a swimmer to go further in the same amount of time. But I would say amoung elite breaststrokers in the 200, they are staying as long as 7 to 7.5 seconds and going one to three meters further. Kurte Grote and Ed Moses always gain on the underwaters. Another trend is to go deaper. I used to teach staying at one depth, but many now go one-two foot deeper and angle up after the pulldown. I am certainly not on their level, but have no problem going 12-13 yards off each and every turn. In the 200 yard race I swim less than 95 yards, the rest is the start and underwaters. One thing I learned when I did extensive heart rate monitor testing is it is easy to drop your heart rate during a 6-7 second underwater, by 40-50 beats! Coaches have always said to relax during the underwaters, while still maintaining streamlining. So in a 200 *** I get 48+ seconds of low intensity rest, allowing me to put more in the rest of the race.
I have the Article from Budd Termin on the *** pullout that was basically one second. Not one world class swimmer uses this, not even in the 50 meter race that generates lots of money from World Cup racing. I feel world class breaststrokers now have superior streamlining and far greater leg strength compared to college 55 second swimmers. In fact I feel the start and turn times are what distinguishes the winners from the also rans.
Again freestylers, backstrokers and flyers are also going deeper. Natalie Coughlin goes really deep on her backstroke and gains one body length every turn!
The Russians were the first to use two-three small dolphins off the starts and turns to gain 12-18 inches over others who were flutter kicking up. They won the free events in 1992 and 1996 by doing this. By 2000 USA finally caught on.
Wayne McCauley
RM,
In the best breaststrokers over the last 20 years the trend has been to go further and stay underwater longer. This is partially due to the modern streamline that allows a swimmer to go further in the same amount of time. But I would say amoung elite breaststrokers in the 200, they are staying as long as 7 to 7.5 seconds and going one to three meters further. Kurte Grote and Ed Moses always gain on the underwaters. Another trend is to go deaper. I used to teach staying at one depth, but many now go one-two foot deeper and angle up after the pulldown. I am certainly not on their level, but have no problem going 12-13 yards off each and every turn. In the 200 yard race I swim less than 95 yards, the rest is the start and underwaters. One thing I learned when I did extensive heart rate monitor testing is it is easy to drop your heart rate during a 6-7 second underwater, by 40-50 beats! Coaches have always said to relax during the underwaters, while still maintaining streamlining. So in a 200 *** I get 48+ seconds of low intensity rest, allowing me to put more in the rest of the race.
I have the Article from Budd Termin on the *** pullout that was basically one second. Not one world class swimmer uses this, not even in the 50 meter race that generates lots of money from World Cup racing. I feel world class breaststrokers now have superior streamlining and far greater leg strength compared to college 55 second swimmers. In fact I feel the start and turn times are what distinguishes the winners from the also rans.
Again freestylers, backstrokers and flyers are also going deeper. Natalie Coughlin goes really deep on her backstroke and gains one body length every turn!
The Russians were the first to use two-three small dolphins off the starts and turns to gain 12-18 inches over others who were flutter kicking up. They won the free events in 1992 and 1996 by doing this. By 2000 USA finally caught on.
Wayne McCauley
