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?
A coaching friend of mine acually did some research comparing traaditonal grab start vs. an "upright" track start vs. a "leaning back" track start in 15m sprints.
I don't have all the details but the botton line was that hands down the fastest to 15m was the "leaning back" version track start (grad was slowest). This would totally contradict the PowerStart theory.
There are so many variables however, in my case my height is a hindrance getting off the blocks in all three versions but I try to make up for it with power, streamline and kick. I did get DQ'd using a grab start in Baltmore which led me to play around with the track version. Personally I had the flatter entry of a track start and it "feels" slower.
Again, probably best for each of us to "test" all three versions with timed starts to 15m?
A coaching friend of mine acually did some research comparing traaditonal grab start vs. an "upright" track start vs. a "leaning back" track start in 15m sprints.
I don't have all the details but the botton line was that hands down the fastest to 15m was the "leaning back" version track start (grad was slowest). This would totally contradict the PowerStart theory.
There are so many variables however, in my case my height is a hindrance getting off the blocks in all three versions but I try to make up for it with power, streamline and kick. I did get DQ'd using a grab start in Baltmore which led me to play around with the track version. Personally I had the flatter entry of a track start and it "feels" slower.
Again, probably best for each of us to "test" all three versions with timed starts to 15m?
