Simple. You have absolute power to change any technique rules, start/finish rules, age up rules, sky is the limit as long as the rules pertain to swimming. What would you change and why?
None of you probably wanted a serious post in this thread, judging by all the insane recommendations, but I will respond to some of the more interesting ones.
Jon Blank didn't want the dolphin kick in the breaststroke pullout. Though I was initially against it, I do like that it now levels the playing field. There's nothing now that could be slipped by a judge in breaststroke.
Swimmerlisa and born2fly wanted limitless underwater kicking on fly, back and free. Fine, as long as you remember the reasons why they began limiting it. Kids were passing out in the pool trying to be the next David Berkoff (or Michael Ross), so they allowed only 10 meters. That wasn't far enough, so they stretched it to 15. Also, underwater kicking was not deemed "swimming" by many, so there was an effort to level the playing field to help those (me!) who can't kick that far. If limitless kicking is reinstated, I will not be the one who jumps in after a 45-year-old who thinks he can do an entire long-course 50 back underwater. You'll have beer wages on who can kick the furthest. The insurance liabilities in USMS and USAS would be sky high, which would drastically increase member fees and drive away those who can't afford the price hike.
Just to let you know, there is a 100 IM for elite swimmers. They do it at the short course world championships and at grand prix meets. Only in the USA is the event shunned between the ages of 13 and 25. Of course, we never have short-course meters meets in this country anyway for elite swimmers (besides NCAAs every four years), so why worry?
Oh, you want to know what rule changes I would like? None. I think swimming is finally at the place it needs to be.
None of you probably wanted a serious post in this thread, judging by all the insane recommendations, but I will respond to some of the more interesting ones.
Jon Blank didn't want the dolphin kick in the breaststroke pullout. Though I was initially against it, I do like that it now levels the playing field. There's nothing now that could be slipped by a judge in breaststroke.
Swimmerlisa and born2fly wanted limitless underwater kicking on fly, back and free. Fine, as long as you remember the reasons why they began limiting it. Kids were passing out in the pool trying to be the next David Berkoff (or Michael Ross), so they allowed only 10 meters. That wasn't far enough, so they stretched it to 15. Also, underwater kicking was not deemed "swimming" by many, so there was an effort to level the playing field to help those (me!) who can't kick that far. If limitless kicking is reinstated, I will not be the one who jumps in after a 45-year-old who thinks he can do an entire long-course 50 back underwater. You'll have beer wages on who can kick the furthest. The insurance liabilities in USMS and USAS would be sky high, which would drastically increase member fees and drive away those who can't afford the price hike.
Just to let you know, there is a 100 IM for elite swimmers. They do it at the short course world championships and at grand prix meets. Only in the USA is the event shunned between the ages of 13 and 25. Of course, we never have short-course meters meets in this country anyway for elite swimmers (besides NCAAs every four years), so why worry?
Oh, you want to know what rule changes I would like? None. I think swimming is finally at the place it needs to be.
