At the U.S. Trials there was one official in every lane looking at the turns, so now that we're in Athens, how does Kitajima get away with that dolphin kick on his turn? It seemed clear to me from the above water shot, then was confirmed with the underwater. Other breaststrokers care to weigh in?
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Originally posted by breastroker
... He should be talking about what really makes Phelps and Thorpedo so great. They both start OK (Thorpedo a two foot at the front of the blocks start) and they both do several (4-5) dolphins while underwater. They both gain nearly a body length doing that!! That is huge. Nothing upsets me more than when freestylers push off the turns and immediatly start furiously kicking flutter kick. Notice those swimmers usually come up at the 5 meter mark. But Thorpe and Phelps come up 10 to 13 meters out.out This goes all the way back to the 1992 Olympics when Popov did 2-3 dolphins off the start and turns (while USA swimmers did not) and he won by the exact distance he gained in those dolphins.
I noticed that too. In general at these olympics, the swimmer who can dolphin the most underwater seems to have a big advantage.
I know that the importance of the dolphin off the start/turns is discussed in other posts, books, coaches talks, etc., etc. - but seeing it really makes it hit me over the head.
Something to incorporate into my swimming. Look out Phelps!:D
Originally posted by breastroker
... He should be talking about what really makes Phelps and Thorpedo so great. They both start OK (Thorpedo a two foot at the front of the blocks start) and they both do several (4-5) dolphins while underwater. They both gain nearly a body length doing that!! That is huge. Nothing upsets me more than when freestylers push off the turns and immediatly start furiously kicking flutter kick. Notice those swimmers usually come up at the 5 meter mark. But Thorpe and Phelps come up 10 to 13 meters out.out This goes all the way back to the 1992 Olympics when Popov did 2-3 dolphins off the start and turns (while USA swimmers did not) and he won by the exact distance he gained in those dolphins.
I noticed that too. In general at these olympics, the swimmer who can dolphin the most underwater seems to have a big advantage.
I know that the importance of the dolphin off the start/turns is discussed in other posts, books, coaches talks, etc., etc. - but seeing it really makes it hit me over the head.
Something to incorporate into my swimming. Look out Phelps!:D
