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?
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Former Member
I don't think there is much chance that you'll encounter any problem from a starter in terms of what kind of start you elect to use in masters competition--just as long as you promptly come down into the start and hold it steady.
I referenced my daughter's comment not out of concern that swimmers would be DQd for using a particular type of start at any level of swimming (though it is pretty amazing someone could make a young girl wonder if only one kind of start is legal) but rather as an illustration of the overwhelming popularity of the track start among younger swimmers.
Regarding "opinion" versus rules in my experience refs and officials follow the rule that if they didn't see a clear violation of an explicitly stated rule they don't call it. Refs are pretty particular about this and I personally observed an objection to a DQ for a one hand touch upheld because upoon questioning the stroke and turn judge couldn't exactly remember which hand was used for the touch.
In other words, I wouldn't be concerned about "right" starts in terms of legal starts. Now turns are more complicated and matter of another whole discussion (anyone out there remember the DQ of Kristin Quance in the 400 IM at 1996 Olympic Trials?).
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Former Member
I don't think there is much chance that you'll encounter any problem from a starter in terms of what kind of start you elect to use in masters competition--just as long as you promptly come down into the start and hold it steady.
I referenced my daughter's comment not out of concern that swimmers would be DQd for using a particular type of start at any level of swimming (though it is pretty amazing someone could make a young girl wonder if only one kind of start is legal) but rather as an illustration of the overwhelming popularity of the track start among younger swimmers.
Regarding "opinion" versus rules in my experience refs and officials follow the rule that if they didn't see a clear violation of an explicitly stated rule they don't call it. Refs are pretty particular about this and I personally observed an objection to a DQ for a one hand touch upheld because upoon questioning the stroke and turn judge couldn't exactly remember which hand was used for the touch.
In other words, I wouldn't be concerned about "right" starts in terms of legal starts. Now turns are more complicated and matter of another whole discussion (anyone out there remember the DQ of Kristin Quance in the 400 IM at 1996 Olympic Trials?).
