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
With all due respect to the coaching credentials of the advocates of both grab and track style starts, I think you've lost the point in your extended discussion of physics and physiology. The point is not which start is "better" for all swimmers; the point is how can an individual swimmer improve his/her start.
For swimmers with little if any competitive experience (whether age group or masters) it is more important to do one style of start well (& keeping goggles in place) than to learn the theoretically optimal style. On our little youth league team this summer, we practiced starting block starts early and often, beginning with the 2nd workout of the season. I encouraged the kids to try several versions of grab and track start, and use the one that made them feel comfortable. My idea was to get them comfortable with diving off the blocks, and to start working on skills that get them out farther and faster.
Now, for more experienced swimmers, they may benefit from trying a different style, and seeing if it gets them out faster. As several participants have pointed-out, you probably need video-tapes and stop-watches to really know which is best. You also probably need to really learn how to do a grab or track start well before you can tell if it is better than your current style. I am impressed by some of the comments folks have made in this thread, and I will look up some of the materials. However, I am by nature suspicious of claims that any particular school of thought is universally optimal for all people under all conditions.
Matt
Reply
Former Member
With all due respect to the coaching credentials of the advocates of both grab and track style starts, I think you've lost the point in your extended discussion of physics and physiology. The point is not which start is "better" for all swimmers; the point is how can an individual swimmer improve his/her start.
For swimmers with little if any competitive experience (whether age group or masters) it is more important to do one style of start well (& keeping goggles in place) than to learn the theoretically optimal style. On our little youth league team this summer, we practiced starting block starts early and often, beginning with the 2nd workout of the season. I encouraged the kids to try several versions of grab and track start, and use the one that made them feel comfortable. My idea was to get them comfortable with diving off the blocks, and to start working on skills that get them out farther and faster.
Now, for more experienced swimmers, they may benefit from trying a different style, and seeing if it gets them out faster. As several participants have pointed-out, you probably need video-tapes and stop-watches to really know which is best. You also probably need to really learn how to do a grab or track start well before you can tell if it is better than your current style. I am impressed by some of the comments folks have made in this thread, and I will look up some of the materials. However, I am by nature suspicious of claims that any particular school of thought is universally optimal for all people under all conditions.
Matt
