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?
Well folks, it was pretty comical at the meet this weekend, with Bill Tingley shouting instructions from the stands on how to start as I was climbing up on the blocks! His recommendation was neither a track start nor a grab start. I had both feet at the front of the blocks, hands in between, and resting against the front of the block. When the horn went off, I was supposed to go forward, with my hands pushing off the front of the block. The first race I tried this on was the 50 free. I could tell it was slower than the track start. And I didn't exactly execute it well, as I nearly scraped bottom, I dove so deep. BUT in spite of all that it was my fastest 50 m (SCM) since 1998. I got much more out of that start than the track start. More important for my peace of mind, I felt more stable with both feet down, not trying to balance on one foot. My next attempt, on the 100 ***, was MUCH better. I was way out ahead of everyone in my heat on the start. Of course, that disappeared once we actually started swimming. But still, any part of your race you can improve can only help. My times in the 50 & 100 *** were very similar to what I did at LC Nationals in Cleveland. Considering I have not been in the water much lately, I was very happy with my times. My 100 IM was 3 seconds faster than this time last year. All in all, a great meet.
Cynthia: I'm flattered you looked up my times! Thanks for the encouragement.
Wayne: You have hit the nail on the head when you say the track start is probably the only style the UK coaches know how to teach. That was sort of my point, although I didn't state it explicitly. I had been using that start because that's what they told me to do, but I think I always knew, deep down, it was not the best start for me.
Bottom line is that you have to use the start you feel most comfortable with, or that your creaky body allows you to use!
Meg
Well folks, it was pretty comical at the meet this weekend, with Bill Tingley shouting instructions from the stands on how to start as I was climbing up on the blocks! His recommendation was neither a track start nor a grab start. I had both feet at the front of the blocks, hands in between, and resting against the front of the block. When the horn went off, I was supposed to go forward, with my hands pushing off the front of the block. The first race I tried this on was the 50 free. I could tell it was slower than the track start. And I didn't exactly execute it well, as I nearly scraped bottom, I dove so deep. BUT in spite of all that it was my fastest 50 m (SCM) since 1998. I got much more out of that start than the track start. More important for my peace of mind, I felt more stable with both feet down, not trying to balance on one foot. My next attempt, on the 100 ***, was MUCH better. I was way out ahead of everyone in my heat on the start. Of course, that disappeared once we actually started swimming. But still, any part of your race you can improve can only help. My times in the 50 & 100 *** were very similar to what I did at LC Nationals in Cleveland. Considering I have not been in the water much lately, I was very happy with my times. My 100 IM was 3 seconds faster than this time last year. All in all, a great meet.
Cynthia: I'm flattered you looked up my times! Thanks for the encouragement.
Wayne: You have hit the nail on the head when you say the track start is probably the only style the UK coaches know how to teach. That was sort of my point, although I didn't state it explicitly. I had been using that start because that's what they told me to do, but I think I always knew, deep down, it was not the best start for me.
Bottom line is that you have to use the start you feel most comfortable with, or that your creaky body allows you to use!
Meg