Since getting back into masters swimming after a long (12 year) hiatus I've been playing around with the track start which came into vogue after my first "retirement". I'm still torn between the two and have been trying to find what fits me best.
The last month or so I've had a chance to watch ASU, UA, Auburn and UNLV swim meets and what's interesting is that I only saw one or two swimmers using a traditonal "grab" start. I know a few of these coaches and they all said the same thing, it's hands down the fastest start of the two.
Recently a new group has introduced a program caller "PowerStarts" (www.quickgetaway.com) which advocates the complete opposite philosophy. By the way, I'm NOT endorsing this TI type program but do find it interesting!!!
I've had a chance to discuss some of this with Wayne and have basically come to the conclusion that a traditonal grab (power start style) start still works best for my body type (and lack of fast twitch ability!). I do however need to commit the workout time to run a series of 15 M sprints and see what really works.
Anyone else have any thoughts on this?
Parents
Former Member
Interesting thread. I recently learned in talking to a Div 1 women's college coach that most of her swimmers use the track start because that is what they were taught as younger swimmers. My daughter was told by a starter that she had to use a "track start." This is not within the rules of competition but I've never seen any of the HS girls use a grab start. I suspect the popularity of the track start is that it's easier to teach and you are less likely to false start (a big factor for younger swimmers).
I think the grab start is faster for me. I'm able to keep my weight forward and can balance on the edge of the blocks holding on with my barest fingertips. This helps me get off the blocks faster. I also think that my entry is somewhat steeper using the grab start versus track start. I find this steeper entry works wells for me since it means more torque and that translates into greater distance off the dive.
It may be that the grab start works better for swimmers who have "larger" body types (that's me).
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Former Member
Interesting thread. I recently learned in talking to a Div 1 women's college coach that most of her swimmers use the track start because that is what they were taught as younger swimmers. My daughter was told by a starter that she had to use a "track start." This is not within the rules of competition but I've never seen any of the HS girls use a grab start. I suspect the popularity of the track start is that it's easier to teach and you are less likely to false start (a big factor for younger swimmers).
I think the grab start is faster for me. I'm able to keep my weight forward and can balance on the edge of the blocks holding on with my barest fingertips. This helps me get off the blocks faster. I also think that my entry is somewhat steeper using the grab start versus track start. I find this steeper entry works wells for me since it means more torque and that translates into greater distance off the dive.
It may be that the grab start works better for swimmers who have "larger" body types (that's me).