I am working out in a pool that does not have blocks, so obviously I time myslef from a push start.My question is:what should I expect my times to be if I start from blocks vs. push off the wall, what is the time difference between the two?
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Former Member
One additional factor to consider when comparing a push-off to a block (or deck) start.
You will hit the water further out if you start from the deck (and even more so if from a block.) And you will hit the water with greater force (thanks to gravity working in your favor).
When you do any start, you are initially moving faster than you would when you are simply swimming. You immediately begin to slow down, and the trick is to be at the surface and start stroking at the point where you've slowed down exactly to the speed you swim at. Hit that too soon and you lose some of the benefit of the start. Hit it too late and you have to do extra work to "catch up."
When you do a start from the deck or from the block, that point will occur farther down the lane.
One additional factor to consider when comparing a push-off to a block (or deck) start.
You will hit the water further out if you start from the deck (and even more so if from a block.) And you will hit the water with greater force (thanks to gravity working in your favor).
When you do any start, you are initially moving faster than you would when you are simply swimming. You immediately begin to slow down, and the trick is to be at the surface and start stroking at the point where you've slowed down exactly to the speed you swim at. Hit that too soon and you lose some of the benefit of the start. Hit it too late and you have to do extra work to "catch up."
When you do a start from the deck or from the block, that point will occur farther down the lane.
