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?
Here's a link to an article from Russell Mark of USA-Swimming about track starts:
www.usaswimming.org/ViewMiscArticle.aspx
If you get the chance to use starting blocks with side handles, use them!
Here are the take-aways I wrote down from one of his recent clinics:
* Forward or center-weighted -- do not lean back at the start
* High hips by pushing slightly up with trailing leg on "set" position
* Shin should be near horizontal to the waterline when toes leave the front of the starting block
* To maximize velocity into the water, try to achieve the cleanest, straightest body line
He also mentioned that many elite swimmers are positioning the fin closer to the front of the block and then placing their foot at the top of the fin with their heels in the air:
Here's the NBC coverage for the day seven of the Olympics with the 100 fly finals (at the 36-minute mark) and 50 free (at 1:08:00).
www.nbcolympics.com/.../swimming-day-7-finals.html
Here's a link to an article from Russell Mark of USA-Swimming about track starts:
www.usaswimming.org/ViewMiscArticle.aspx
If you get the chance to use starting blocks with side handles, use them!
Here are the take-aways I wrote down from one of his recent clinics:
* Forward or center-weighted -- do not lean back at the start
* High hips by pushing slightly up with trailing leg on "set" position
* Shin should be near horizontal to the waterline when toes leave the front of the starting block
* To maximize velocity into the water, try to achieve the cleanest, straightest body line
He also mentioned that many elite swimmers are positioning the fin closer to the front of the block and then placing their foot at the top of the fin with their heels in the air:
Here's the NBC coverage for the day seven of the Olympics with the 100 fly finals (at the 36-minute mark) and 50 free (at 1:08:00).
www.nbcolympics.com/.../swimming-day-7-finals.html
