Does anybody know if it is illegal for a swimmer to grab the edge of the pool as they turn so as to allow them to push off more effectively from the wall and gain greater distance for their turn.I'm thinking that because the hand would be over the edge of the pool that it would be considered illegal.Of course the best thing would be for me to learn to do tumble turns.
If you are talking about an open turn (for fly or breaststroke), I'm slowly coming around to the idea that grabbing the wall will still slow you down. The tendency is to pull yourself up (to gasp air). This will slow your actual turn, and give you negligible momentum on your pushoff.
If you drive with your elbow and lean back (during your turn), this will give you enough momentum going into the wall to give you a good pushoff.
If you are talking about an open turn (for fly or breaststroke), I'm slowly coming around to the idea that grabbing the wall will still slow you down. The tendency is to pull yourself up (to gasp air). This will slow your actual turn, and give you negligible momentum on your pushoff.
If you drive with your elbow and lean back (during your turn), this will give you enough momentum going into the wall to give you a good pushoff.
