A serious question (I know, how unlikely is that?): I've been on the shelf most of the year since Nov., and I'm really curious as to how the new allowance of the single dolphin kick is being called. Not the official interpretation, but the actual experience of fellow breastrokers in meets, whether Open or Masters, local, zone or nats. At the time we originally discussed the new rule, there was the sentiment that some would push the envelope towards the second half-kick- is this happening, or are some calling it super-tight to avoid that?
Parents
Former Member
My experience as both swimmer and official is that they are calling dolphin kicks just a often for senior swimmers.
The biggest risk of trying to take advantage of the new "kick" or "turn" is that if you attempt the dolphin earlier during the pullout you: 1) Break streamline and must be sure that the extra propulsion from the dolphin kick more than compensates and 2) Must be very careful that after completing the kick you don't break your legs above your body and then need to lower them in maintain streamline. This results in most of the DQ's that I've seen (and called). You must make sure that the upward movement of the dolphin kick brings you in line with body and not above it or you are at risk.
The safest approch is to take the dolpin kick as your hands pass your hips.
All in all, I'd say that few swimmers (senior age groupers or masters) are able to extract much advantage. It probably requires a fair amount of time to master and some never well (look at how few swimmers can really exploit dolphin kicks off the walls in free).
My experience as both swimmer and official is that they are calling dolphin kicks just a often for senior swimmers.
The biggest risk of trying to take advantage of the new "kick" or "turn" is that if you attempt the dolphin earlier during the pullout you: 1) Break streamline and must be sure that the extra propulsion from the dolphin kick more than compensates and 2) Must be very careful that after completing the kick you don't break your legs above your body and then need to lower them in maintain streamline. This results in most of the DQ's that I've seen (and called). You must make sure that the upward movement of the dolphin kick brings you in line with body and not above it or you are at risk.
The safest approch is to take the dolpin kick as your hands pass your hips.
All in all, I'd say that few swimmers (senior age groupers or masters) are able to extract much advantage. It probably requires a fair amount of time to master and some never well (look at how few swimmers can really exploit dolphin kicks off the walls in free).
