Swimstud needs start advice.

Masters, you False Start and the only swimming you do is back to the wall to have the referee tell you to go elsewhere. As for the toes, I agree with concensus that you set those before the starter says anything. That's usually the first thing I do when I am allowed up on the blocks. Also, with the track start, I am usually toe-positioned and bent over/set before the starter says take your marks. Once those words are mentioned, I tighten my grab and start leaning forward.

If you can go to an age group or masters meet and listen to the starter. Most of the commands are done with a whistle. It is as follows: The referee will give a series of short blasts with the whistle - on this command remove your warmups and sandals and whatever else you might be wearing (not your suit!!), stand behind the blocks and make last minute adjustments to cap and goggles. The next command will be a long whistle blast by the referee - step up on the blocks get your feet set in your starting position. At this point the referee will turn the race over to the starter. The starter will say "Take your mark" and when everyone is set will hit the starting beep. Under the current rules a false start is an automatic DQ. and the race will not be recalled. The swimmer that launches early will be informed after the race. I hope this helps. If you have any other questions, ask. I'm a starter and will give you any help and answer any questions that I can.

Haha hey go right ahead if you get your jollies humiliating swimmers that took a 25yr hiatus. I was only going to tell my friends and adivsors but if you want to be my publicist...that's fine. I guess I'll figure out who you are when you pull up in the Camaro, with big hair and cup of CAWFEE? :thhbbb: ;) I think we need a no stalking rule... I'm from hipster Brooklyn, not big-hair Brooklyn. And you shall know me by my fly. Besides, it doesn't count as stalking if you're cute, right? And by you I mean me.

Just to emphasize a point Poolraat made, when the whistle blows to step up on the blocks you should position your feet with your toes over the edge, i.e. you should not wait until on your marks to do this. In fact the referee won't turn control over to the starter until all the swimmers have their feet in position.

Thanks all. If I DQ will they still give me a time...? Although it won't count. It will for me internally. OK I'll watch when the others get on the block I will too and hoock my toes. 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. FYI: I won't be wearing a cap, noseclip, or shaving beyond a #1 on my razor (more of a vanity shave than anything else LOL) :laugh2:

The long whistle blow= get on blocks and get your situated...some people, myself included, get bent over ready to grab the blocks at this point as well. Within a few seconds, once the official sees that everyone is situated and has stopped moving for the most part, he will say the event name/heat...followed by, take your mark--this is where you tighten up, grab the blocks, and tuck your head. The next sound will be the gun or the beep indicating go! 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. haha..now theres nothing at all to be worried about:-D

Are you coming up for the meet? :cool:

Yes. And I will report back to all about your race. Haha hey go right ahead if you get your jollies humiliating swimmers that took a 25yr hiatus. I was only going to tell my friends and adivsors but if you want to be my publicist...that's fine. I guess I'll figure out who you are when you pull up in the Camaro, with big hair and cup of CAWFEE? :thhbbb: ;) I think we need a no stalking rule...

It doesn't count as stalking if you're cute, right? Personally I think it depends on whether or not you've invested in a pair of night-vision goggles.

I'm from hipster Brooklyn, not big-hair Brooklyn. And you shall know me by my fly. Besides, it doesn't count as stalking if you're cute, right? And by you I mean me. Hahaha that's a bit like this... "There are two kinds of sexual harrasment: The good kind and the bad kind!" That didn't get many laughs in the "Business Law" class at university... Lawyers...they lack humour until they give you their hourly billing charges... :dedhorse: