Given the new FINA/NCAA/ USA/USMS rule changes related to the breaststroke pullouts/turns have people out there figured out WHEN to introduce the now allowed dolphin kick for maximum advantage.
My only input, and not a very detailed one at that, is from daughter who is freshman at a DIV III swimming power. She told them they are introducing the dolphin during the pulldown phase "at about the point" when people were formerly DQ'd for illegal dolphin. She claimed it was "hard to explain", this by the way from an English major, and so I'm not taking this description at 100% of face value. I presume though she meant at the finish of the pull phase when the body can go into a natural dolphin.
What is the current practice?
BTW, I did notice that the Div III A times for the breaststroke events are significantly faster this year but the B times are just about unchanged. I guess they are worried that the new kick might result in much faster times.
Parents
Former Member
I don't think it was the intent either. Just reading what it says. The interpretation makes it clear.
I think the position of the feel has nothing to do with the dolphin kick. People will have their feet turned in during the dolphin kick. However, maybe we need an iterpretation for that as well.
We'll have to disagree about whether it's advantageous. I can see where a nice big dolphin kick at the finish might help and I think a skilled swimmer could figure out how to keep it under water.
At any rate, it's clear it has to be during the pullout.
I don't think it was the intent either. Just reading what it says. The interpretation makes it clear.
I think the position of the feel has nothing to do with the dolphin kick. People will have their feet turned in during the dolphin kick. However, maybe we need an iterpretation for that as well.
We'll have to disagree about whether it's advantageous. I can see where a nice big dolphin kick at the finish might help and I think a skilled swimmer could figure out how to keep it under water.
At any rate, it's clear it has to be during the pullout.
