World Trials

it's presumptuous to say phelps GETS off the block faster that crocker reaction times vary in that particular instance Phelps GOT off the block faster that crocker but will it be that way in every race from now on? in starts reaction time is just part of the story, there's also starting force / jumping ability dive entry, scoop and depth underwater dolphin kicks break out and times and velocity at 15 meters My guess is Crocker came up ahead of Phelps at 15 meters. Phelps 2nd 50 was faster than Crockers but 51.4 is extremely respectable and not far from 51.3 who's to say what happens at worlds ande Originally posted by seltzer Indy used them for the Duel in the Pool and of course they were used at the OT. Note that Phelps has improved his reaction time and now gets off the block FASTER than Crocker. They have obviously been working on Phelp's starts. Afraid that the dye is cast....Crocker's days as w.r. in the 100 fly are numbered.

here's top 8 results from mens 100 fr prelims NOTICE how well Phelps Split his race only 0.80 difference between his first and second 50 I'm sure he was holding back and will swim faster tonight wonder if Lezak can hold him off. I thought Weber-Gale with be faster with his 22.44 speed maybe tonight, Ande 1 Lezak, Jason 29 Irvine Novaquati 49.55 r:+0.75 23.58 49.55 (25.97) 2 Phelps, Michael 19 Club Wolverine/N 49.58 r:+0.69 24.39 49.58 (25.19) 3 Walker, Neil 28 Longhorn Aquatic 49.70 r:+0.79 23.71 49.70 (25.99) 4 Wildman-Tobrine 20 Stanford Univ. 49.83 r:+0.76 23.56 49.83 (26.27) 5 Dusing, Nathani 26 Longhorn Aquatic 49.89 r:+0.65 23.83 49.89 (26.06) 6 Weber-Gale, Gar 19 U. of Texas 49.94 r:+0.69 23.63 49.94 (26.31) 7 Lochte, Ryan 20 U of Florida/Day 50.00 r:+0.66 24.41 50.00 (25.59) 7 Brunelli, Nicho 23 Sun Devil Aquati 50.00 r:+0.82 23.62 50.00 (26.38) 1 Lezak, Jason 29 Irvine Novaquati 49.55 25.97 - 23.58 = 2.39 2 Phelps, Michael 19 Club Wolverine/N 49.58 25.19 - 24.39 = 0.80 3 Walker, Neil 28 Longhorn Aquatic 49.70 25.99 - 23.71 = 2.28 4 Wildman-Tobrine 20 Stanford Univ. 49.83 26.27 - 23.56 = 2.71 5 Dusing, Nathani 26 Longhorn Aquatic 49.89 26.06 - 23.83 = 2.23 6 Weber-Gale, Gar 19 U. of Texas 49.94 26.31 - 23.63 = 2.68 7 Lochte, Ryan 20 U of Florida/Day 50.00 25.59 - 24.41 = 1.18 7 Brunelli, Nicho 23 Sun Devil Aquati 50.00 26.38 - 23.62 = 2.76

Ian Crocker does a track start and he says at the end of big meets his big toe on his back foot is sore. The back foot push begins with the ball of his foot and ends with his big toe. Swimmers who have the track start down: Get in ready position on take your mark, they grab the block with their fingers grip the edge of the blocks with their toes on their lead foot and set their back leg like a spring When they hear the beep They tug with the hands, push with their back leg and blast with their front foot. There's less chance of false starting with a track start. It's more stable than the both feet up front grab start. Though I think people get off the blocks faster with the track start but they can jump with more force with the both feet up front grab start. Ande Originally posted by craiglll@yahoo.com I looked at pics of starts. It is incredible how much force Phelps can create coming off of the blocks! Does anyone know if he does a lot of squats or what he does to help create that force? A very long tiem ago, it was thought that the force was created by the uncoiling of the hamstring & thigh muscles as you are coming off of the block toghetehre with the spring from the calves. Now though, that doesn't seem to be so with the track start. Can anyone come up with a really good explanation of where the force comes from & how to get it? Originally posted by craiglll@yahoo.com I looked at pics of starts. It is incredible how much force Phelps can create coming off of the blocks! Does anyone know if he does a lot of squats or what he does to help create that force? A very long tiem ago, it was thought that the force was created by the uncoiling of the hamstring & thigh muscles as you are coming off of the block toghetehre with the spring from the calves. Now though, that doesn't seem to be so with the track start. Can anyone come up with a really good explanation of where the force comes from & how to get it?

I am wondering about the lack of a large difference between these reaction times. I am assuming it is because almost all of these swimmers were using track starts. How these reaction times correlate to times at 15 meters would be interesting.

Originally posted by breastroker I am wondering about the lack of a large difference between these reaction times. I am assuming it is because almost all of these swimmers were using track starts. How these reaction times correlate to times at 15 meters would be interesting. Indy used them for the Duel in the Pool and of course they were used at the OT. Note that Phelps has improved his reaction time and now gets off the block FASTER than Crocker. They have obviously been working on Phelp's starts. Afraid that the dye is cast....Crocker's days as w.r. in the 100 fly are numbered. On the other hand, Phelps has a LONG way to go to touch Thorpes w.r. in the 400 free. Don't think its in the cards ever. Makes you appreciate how truly awesome that 3:40 is...1:49 out and 1:51 back. Next question: Will the 400 IM and 200 fly be only "sometime" events for Pheps? As his body changes it will be harder to keep that kind of training regimen and given that he has choices (100/200/400 free and backstrokes) why stick to those events if time is not on his side?

Just a mini report on the meet ... It was awesome! Seeing Peirsol set the world record was amazing! The pool was very nice, the seating was close so we were right behind the Texas contingent. Literally about five feet away. Katie Hoff made a statement at this meet. She is ready to take on the world and avenge her lack luster performance in the 400IM in Athens(which was vindicated in the 200IM). She looks great. I was shocked Natalie finished in third in the 100 fly more because she is a competitor than anything else. Her backstroke looked good, she had great walls. I think she'll be faster in Montreal. Kaitlin Sandeno looks ok. I also think she'll be ready to go in Montreal. Kara Lynn Joyce had an actual and very noticeable lead in the 50 in prelims. I think she's the next sprinter great. We'll see. The 400 IM is such an amazing race to watch. There were a few heats where one girl just dominated. I love watching that race. It's interesting to see where the lead changes come and go and how each swimmer tries to race it. Very cool. The men .. the 200 free was a great race. I'm not surprised Phelps won, slightly surprised Lochte was in fourth after all the hype. The 200 fly was a beautiful race. Missed most of the 100 fly but saw Crocker swim and thought he looked good. I don't think he's going to let Phelps take over this event. I think he will be faster in Montreal, too. They all have several months to back home work hard and get in shape for Montreal. The big guns from Athens probably all took some significant time off after and are just getting back into things. The men's 50 free was awesome. And again, Peirsol's back was simply awe inspiring. He was so relaxed and looked so calm before the race. His reaction to winning was great, too. It was a great swim! The overall thing that impressed me the most was how effortless all of the swims looked. Obviously they were all going really fast but the strokes were all very smoothe and everyone glided. I know A LOT of effort goes behind effortless looking swimming but it was great. Especially the best of the best. Smoothe strokes, great extension, a noticeable glide ... can't wait to get into the pool today! Looks like there will be some more great races today and tomorrow! I'm actually thinking about going back for Tuesdays events and checking out the 200 back showdown. My money is on Peirsol again, but it'll be interesting to see if Lochte can pull that one off.

Originally posted by ande it's presumptuous to say phelps GETS off the block faster that crocker reaction times vary in that particular instance Phelps GOT off the block faster that crocker but will it be that way in every race from now on? Not necessarily, and am not predicting that it will always be the case. Crocker might be able to improve his start technique...and probably will have to beat Phelps at Worlds. Crocker can't afford to give up any early advantage to Phelps given their respective racing patterns. You are correct, that this is a small part of the whole story and there last two races were both practically photo finishes.

I looked at pics of starts. It is incredible how much force Phelps can create coming off of the blocks! Does anyone know if he does a lot of squats or what he does to help create that force? A very long tiem ago, it was thought that the force was created by the uncoiling of the hamstring & thigh muscles as you are coming off of the block toghetehre with the spring from the calves. Now though, that doesn't seem to be so with the track start. Can anyone come up with a really good explanation of where the force comes from & how to get it?

I'll let one of the more knowledgeable folks give you more of an explanation but from what I understand. The force comes from pushing down into the blocks with your shoulders then from the back leg and finally from the front leg. Though I believe the majority of the weight should be on the front leg and the back leg is more for balance. The primary push comes from pushing down on the blocks from the shoulders then the front leg should be the last one off of the blocks and the ball of the foot should do all the pushing. Please correct me if I am wrong but that is how I understand it. Also, I haven't seen Crocker before at meets (in person) but he seemed a bit distracted or sick or something. He didn't look 100%

He probably (and Lochte, too) was taking it easy because he had his 200 IM shortly after. He looks/ed great.