I am SOOOO Mad!

Originally posted by swimpastor I started diving off of starting blocks when I was eight years old. I am now 51, and train at the Y, almost always alone, as there is no Masters program in the county where I live, or in any of the immediately adjacent counties. (There are several age group programs.) I want to work on my starts, but none of the Y's where I swim will let me use the blocks - saying that a national Y policy prohibits anyone from using the blocks unless a team/club coach is on the deck. If you think that's bad, put yourself in the position of someone who hasn't been going off the blocks since they were 8. I'd estimate that approximately half the times I've gone off the blocks in my entire life have been at meets (both during warmup and during heats). That's definitely not a good recipe for developing effective starts! Anyone find a way to conquer this litigation-fear-induced insanity yet? First, be aware of the legitimate objections they might have: 1) It can be dangerous to do starts if there's somebody else swimming in the lane you are using. 2) It can be dangerous to do starts if you've never had any training. So you shouldn't ask unless you've got a lane to yourself, and you should make it clear that you've had training. I'd second the suggestion that you make friends with the appropriate people on the YMCA staff. If that doesn't work, try the following: 1) If your YMCA offers private swimming lessons (mine does from time to time), sign up for a half hour lesson (at my YMCA, this costs $20). 2) Come up with some problem you are trying to solve with regard to your start (e.g., you are trying to decide whether to use a track start). 3) When the lesson is over, ask them what you need to be working on to improve your start. Ask the instructor to write it out. If possible, get them to put their name on it (make up some excuse about wanting to keep track of where you get different workout recommendations). 4) Make a copy of the instructions and show it to the lifeguard when you want to practice your starts and there is a lane free. Explain that you had a lesson on starts at their Y and the instructor said you needed to work on the things on the sheet. 5) The lifeguard may let you do it, but if not, ask for his or her name. Explain that you are going to have to talk to the management because he/she is refusing to let you do what another staff member told you you needed to do. 6) All of this may scare the lifeguard into letting you do it, but if not, go to the management of the Y and tell them you have a problem: You paid them money for a lesson, the instructor told you you needed to practice your starts, but now the lifeguard won't let you do it. Even if this doesn't work, it should be fun!

Originally posted by swimpastor I started diving off of starting blocks when I was eight years old. I am now 51, and train at the Y, almost always alone, as there is no Masters program in the county where I live, or in any of the immediately adjacent counties. (There are several age group programs.) I want to work on my starts, but none of the Y's where I swim will let me use the blocks - saying that a national Y policy prohibits anyone from using the blocks unless a team/club coach is on the deck. If you think that's bad, put yourself in the position of someone who hasn't been going off the blocks since they were 8. I'd estimate that approximately half the times I've gone off the blocks in my entire life have been at meets (both during warmup and during heats). That's definitely not a good recipe for developing effective starts! Anyone find a way to conquer this litigation-fear-induced insanity yet? First, be aware of the legitimate objections they might have: 1) It can be dangerous to do starts if there's somebody else swimming in the lane you are using. 2) It can be dangerous to do starts if you've never had any training. So you shouldn't ask unless you've got a lane to yourself, and you should make it clear that you've had training. I'd second the suggestion that you make friends with the appropriate people on the YMCA staff. If that doesn't work, try the following: 1) If your YMCA offers private swimming lessons (mine does from time to time), sign up for a half hour lesson (at my YMCA, this costs $20). 2) Come up with some problem you are trying to solve with regard to your start (e.g., you are trying to decide whether to use a track start). 3) When the lesson is over, ask them what you need to be working on to improve your start. Ask the instructor to write it out. If possible, get them to put their name on it (make up some excuse about wanting to keep track of where you get different workout recommendations). 4) Make a copy of the instructions and show it to the lifeguard when you want to practice your starts and there is a lane free. Explain that you had a lesson on starts at their Y and the instructor said you needed to work on the things on the sheet. 5) The lifeguard may let you do it, but if not, ask for his or her name. Explain that you are going to have to talk to the management because he/she is refusing to let you do what another staff member told you you needed to do. 6) All of this may scare the lifeguard into letting you do it, but if not, go to the management of the Y and tell them you have a problem: You paid them money for a lesson, the instructor told you you needed to practice your starts, but now the lifeguard won't let you do it. Even if this doesn't work, it should be fun!