Swimstud needs start advice.

Ok we all agree a bad dive will ruin my SwimStud reputationand turn me into SwimTwit...so, do I have this right? I'm serious even though I am being humourous...it's been a quarter century folks... 1) They tell us when to get on the blocks ( I should not flex to the others right?) 2) "On your marks" toes can go over the edge. 3) "Get set" do the grab 3a) False start 4) "Go" Jump off half a beat behind b/c of worrying about another FS and DQ 5) Swim well 6) Smile at the finish whether I come in last or first in my heat. Rich 1) You can flex for intimidation when you get on the blocks ;) 2) "On your marks" & "get set" are usually combined - toes over edge and grab 3) You won't false start as you will be prepared by watching on the previous races how long it is between when the starter says "on your marks" and when the horn blows. 4) Swim well 5) Smile at the finish whether or not you come in first in your heat 6) HAVE FUN and enjoy every minute of it :groovy:

3a) False start Rich I used to do this on purpose sometimes when I was young. Har, har. Not allowed now. Sure you want to do a grab start? Here are two recent threads with clips to watch: "track start clip" & "proper grab start" Didn't Donna start a thread on "starting block starts" awhile ago? Poor thing, wasting away in the Honduras with no internet service ... Those should help. I'm glad you're at a pool that actually lets you practice starts without kicking you out or making you sign a waiver. Definitely need to practice starts to blast off the blocks well. Hold on to your goggles. ;) Don't splash too much. Don't go too shallow so that you can get a nice underwater pull/dolphin kick. Work on breakouts. Don't get DQ'd. Definitely smile. It's masters.

I used to do this on purpose sometimes when I was young. Har, har. Not allowed now. Sure you want to do a grab start? Here are two recent threads with clips to watch: "track start clip" & "proper grab start" Didn't Donna start a thread on "starting block starts" awhile ago? Poor thing, wasting away in the Honduras with no internet service ... Those should help. I'm glad you're at a pool that actually lets you practice starts without kicking you out or making you sign a waiver. Definitely need to practice starts to blast off the blocks well. Hold on to your goggles. ;) Don't splash too much. Don't go too shallow so that you can get a nice underwater pull/dolphin kick. Work on breakouts. Don't get DQ'd. Definitely smile. It's masters. I can't do trackstarts...it feels odd. I grab OK---it may not be the "grab" with the virtual hanging on...my hips just didn't like the trackstart. My dive isn't going to be the difference between Olympic gold and Silver so Ias long as I don't do anything wrong before I launch. I might go late and have the guard yell go if there's nobody about. I won't be radically changing anything stroke/dive at this point. I need to settle in to what I am going to do. I'm just more worried about doing the wrong thing a the wrong time...LOL. I do go through the take marks -get set in my head and use the pace clock for the "go" hehe

Poolraat is right on. One good thing about the no false start rule is you don't have to worry about anyone else false starting. When the starter beeps the race is on,if someone false started the find out at the end of the race,no recall.

Just as a note, my back may prevent a grab. What is the set just toes over or holding the lip too? This could be a problem. I normally (at training) just touch ankles and fly. Just get set in the position that is most comfortable for you and hold motionless. A good starter will not give the start signal until he/she is satisfied that all swimmers are ready and motionless. Even if you get DQ'd, either the timing system or stopwatches will have your time. Ask the timers on your lane for your time when you get out of the water.

I'm from hipster Brooklyn, I never doubted it for a minute. I knew from your extensive vocabulary and entertaining sarcasm/wit. I would like a report on Rich's performance! Good luck in the king of strokes.

You can always ask the ref to go over the whistle starts. Also, if you don't swim the first race, watch the ref and the swimmers so you know the sequence.

7) Figure out which of the people laughing at you is me.

Yes. And I will report back to all about your race.

If you false start...they will sound the buzzer several times quickly, and possibly drop the line to stop/catch swimmers who didn't hear the buzzer sounding the false start. Everyone will need to swim back to the starting wall, shake it off, and restart the race. I am not sure about masters swimming, but in college, high school and uss one false start and your out--no chance to swim again. Age group they give you two chances. They may recall in HS and college but Masters and USS age group now have a no recall rule and one false start is a DQ.