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 thought bent over with your arms behind you, ready to swing forward and contribute to your forward speed, was the traditional start? Where I was at the age to 12 the grab start was introduced as 'new.'
Anyway, the track start violates all of the principles that I understand important in a start: stay in the air as long as you can, you will never be faster; clean entry with as little splash as possible; have your weight positioned so that you are ready to push off right away. The track start is usually weak with only one leg, shallow, so you enter the water too soon, late, because you have to pull your weight over the front of the block, and splashy.
I grant the advantages mentioned for a track start - fewer false starts and easier to balance, but these are not problems for most of us.
I *do* believe that the grab start requires a little more skill and training. That is because if you use the legs for good height, necessary for good air time, you need a good entry technique to not go too deep in the water, while still having a splashless entry. Most of the testing I have seen on this subject use relatively novice swimmers and brief training times.
I thought bent over with your arms behind you, ready to swing forward and contribute to your forward speed, was the traditional start? Where I was at the age to 12 the grab start was introduced as 'new.'
Anyway, the track start violates all of the principles that I understand important in a start: stay in the air as long as you can, you will never be faster; clean entry with as little splash as possible; have your weight positioned so that you are ready to push off right away. The track start is usually weak with only one leg, shallow, so you enter the water too soon, late, because you have to pull your weight over the front of the block, and splashy.
I grant the advantages mentioned for a track start - fewer false starts and easier to balance, but these are not problems for most of us.
I *do* believe that the grab start requires a little more skill and training. That is because if you use the legs for good height, necessary for good air time, you need a good entry technique to not go too deep in the water, while still having a splashless entry. Most of the testing I have seen on this subject use relatively novice swimmers and brief training times.
