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
I first learned to start WAY back when, and in those days we did a very flat start. When I was trying to learn the new-fangled start, I just couldn't overcome my tendency to go flat. It is very hard to relearn something. Somebody suggested that I try the track start, and it worked. I had never done a track start, so I had nothing to "unlearn", and from the beginning I was able to not hit the water flat like I used to.
So, for me the track start is definitely the way to go. No matter what the stats say, we are all individuals and different things work for different people (different strokes for different folks).
I first learned to start WAY back when, and in those days we did a very flat start. When I was trying to learn the new-fangled start, I just couldn't overcome my tendency to go flat. It is very hard to relearn something. Somebody suggested that I try the track start, and it worked. I had never done a track start, so I had nothing to "unlearn", and from the beginning I was able to not hit the water flat like I used to.
So, for me the track start is definitely the way to go. No matter what the stats say, we are all individuals and different things work for different people (different strokes for different folks).
