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.
I've been playing with it and this is what seems best for me. To get your whole body into it begin to arch back at the hips slightly just before the pull down,then let a body wave go through your body at the same speed as your hands finishing with a very strongdownward kick as your hands finish.
Originally posted by breastroker
Good arguments Connie, you must have learned much from that coach of yours
:cool:
As much as I talk, it's amazing I have time to listen, huh? ;)
He's not only a coach, he's an official too, and I pick his brain all the time.
Your typical curious cat.
Fritz:
If I remember what the rule said (from yesterday)
The feet need to point outwards during the propulsive phase of the kick. Wouldn't that make for one goofy looking dolphin kick?
Also, my coaches tell me that when you dive in too deep on the breaststroke (not at the pullout, but during normal stroke phase) you're wasting too much time going up and down, rather then forward.
Here's what I'm thinking, during a certain phase of the pulllout, your body is already in a position and depth to add a dolphin kick for the little extra umph, and benefit from it.
During the normal stroke cycle, I wonder if trying to get to that body position where thet little dolphin actually helps would take more effort (and slowdown) then it's worth. Break the rythm maybe? Just sounds very awkward. I could be wrong, as I'm not THE breaststroker.
Maybe one of our snazzy breaststrokers can try it, and tell us how it works. Wayne, isn't it about time you got back in the water? ;)
The thing in the wording that continues to confuse me is the term "downward butterfly kick." What the heck is a downward kick? And if you know what that is, what the heck would an upward kick be? There must be some reason for this working, but I haven't been able to figure it out.
As I understand it,for the purposes of judging,a downward dolphin kick is straightening your legs from a bent position pushing forward with the tops of your feet. It's the downward part thats important because until then it could be a breaststroke kick if you push down with the inside of your ankles instead.
The USA-S and FINA wording was not ideal. We were told at a USA-S officials clinic last weekend that USA-S will distribute revised wording to make it clear that the kick should be taken at the end of the pullout and followed by a breaststroke kick, as defined elsewhere.
Note that for USA swimming the new rule does not go into effect until January 1st. Coaches are teaching their swimmers the new kick right now and I sure hope that it doesn't result in upsurge in DQs between now and the end of the year.
Originally posted by seltzer
The USA-S and FINA wording was not ideal. We were told at a USA-S officials clinic last weekend that USA-S will distribute revised wording to make it clear that the kick should be taken at the end of the pullout and followed by a breaststroke kick, as defined elsewhere.
Note that for USA swimming the new rule does not go into effect until January 1st. Coaches are teaching their swimmers the new kick right now and I sure hope that it doesn't result in upsurge in DQs between now and the end of the year.
According to this one the USA-S page: www.usaswimming.org/.../DesktopDefault.aspx
the new rules take (took) effect September 21st. The pdf you can link to contains the wording and interpretation of the new rules and the cover letter says they "are effective September 21, 2005". I'll find out for sure this weekend as I'll be working a meet my daughters are swimming in.
Kirk, it would be illegal to kick your feet upwards, then downwards. Let the kick happen with the wave motion of your body during the pullout, instead of keeping them rigid at the finish of the pull.
There might be many ways to make the kick effective, but I find that it gives you the best propulsion at the end of the pull.
And I too often forget to do the kick in workout. But I'm not worried if I forget in a race. In a 100 meter race I still have 98 other meters to compensate.
As is said before, I expect FINA will use the Kitijama way to make legal what the cheaters have been doing.
Therefore I will continue to practice the dolphin at the start of the pull down.
I also believe that is the best way of utilizing this new rule.
