Five Fast Facts: 50 ***

Hi Wayne, Not that I'm an incredibly quick breaststroker, but I wasn't really into that article either. Just thought to myself, "Huh?" Thanks for pointing out that mistake about the 15 m rule. I was really confused about that (while my dive and pullout is in no danger of going past 15 m, I certainly wouldn't want to shorten it up thinking I was going to get DQ'd)... Carrie

I normally like the USMS Swimmer magazine, but has anyone else but me been truly upset by such garbage! I invite people like Allen Stark, Jeff Commings, Seth Van Neerden, Roque J Santos, David M Guthrie, Jack Groselle etc. to come up with 5 fast facts and tips for the 50 ***. It's a mixed bag. Some articles are interesting. Others are overly simplistic or inaccurate. Remember, the May/June 2006 issue featured swimmers with flotation devices. I'd be much more interested in what people here think are the "5 fast facts." Where are yours?

I'm with Fort on this one. I found out this morning that I'm REALLY close to making the Nationals qualifying time for the 50 and had no idea. I've never swam it before (I usually do the 100) so tips would be awesome! In terms of the magazine, I'm also in agreement with Fort. I haven't seen the new issue yet, but in the past it seems like it's really hit and miss. I think the magazine is focused more toward older readers. While the majority of Masters are probably over 30 and settled, the demographic for early to late 20's is there and I think it's kinda ignored.

I would start with: 1) The underwater stroke is shortened for the 50 race, about one to two seconds shorterless time than the 100 and 200 breaststroke races. You are faster on the surface and so after the initial speed of the dive and underwater stroke wears off, getting to the surface with a very powerfull first stroke up is important to set the rest of the strokes up. Great breaststrokers will still go 10 meters off the start. 2) Practice the start to enter the water streamlined and underwater stroke to be quick and minimize water resistance. Practice the new underwater downwards dolphin kick just as the hands are coming down past the shoulders of the underwater stroke. This is worth about a tenth to two tenth reduction of time. 3) On the first stroke after underwater pullout, time arms so maximum width of outscull as head breaks water surface- worth .2 sec. per length 4) The 50 race can be muscled more than the longer races. Sometimes coming higher or pulling the knees up a little can generate more speed although for a shorter time. 5) Practice the race finish, try to touch with a huge lunge and end up with the head, arms and body finishing underwater. You are faster underwater, you can gain up to half a second on a great finish. The best finish ever was Ed Moses, see his finishes, they are a work of art. Since I wrote Faster Breaststroke and New Thinking For Sprint Breaststroke, the World Records for both men and women have fallen over ONE FULL second in the 50 meter short course and longs course races. The mens 50 SCM is now 26.18 and the LCM is 26.17 seconds. For those who have used my web site, it is back on a new server. Look for new articles soon.

In terms of the magazine, I'm also in agreement with Fort. I haven't seen the new issue yet, but in the past it seems like it's really hit and miss. I think the magazine is focused more toward older readers. While the majority of Masters are probably over 30 and settled, the demographic for early to late 20's is there and I think it's kinda ignored. Sorry I don't have any great breaststroke advise. Swam a 50 pr 35.09 last saturday (so who would listen to me anyway). It was the second time I swam it in a meet, dropped 3.5 seconds from last year. I remember a few years back....(yes I'm over 30 and settled)....watching Roque Santos rock the 200 at 5 spl at Colonies zones at U of MD. He sure did spend a lot of time underwater. I am not sure what the average age for USMS is, but I would guess that my LMSC comes in over 45....settled? .....I wouldn't make that assumption. This is the part of the post where I am deciding if I should include a sarcastic "kids these days" type of grouchy old man comment......maybe next time.

I actually think the "Hydration Laid Bare" is great information. I am taking it to work tomorrow to show the "water only" group that there are other ways of hydration. Don't get me wrong though, when in shape and at nationals I only drink water, and lots of it. Also those who want to have a great 50 breaststroke need to train for it. Look at my American Swim Coaches presentation "Advanced Breaststroke - Ideas and drills that work." My favorite is fast forwards eggbeater, trying to tire up the muscled that pull the legs up to the butt, and developing quick feet. Remember you can gain only so much extra strength in a year. But by speeding up the hands and especially the foot speed, POWER can be nearly doubled. There are no slow, lazy feet in the 50 races. Think SNAP:drink: :drink:

Thanks Wayne for the tips! I'll work on adding more power to my stroke. Can I get power from weight training or is it more an in the water thing? Dave, by settled I meant out of school, not job hoping, not town searching, not self finding, in a fairly routine schedule. Swimming has become a routine and not an after thought. Settled....but not nessacarily married with kids (I hope that makes sense). I would have gone with "kids these days + grumpy old man" hybrid. ;)

I'm with Fort on this one. I found out this morning that I'm REALLY close to making the Nationals qualifying time for the 50 and had no idea. I've never swam it before (I usually do the 100) so tips would be awesome! Kyra I hope you make it. I'm sending you good frog vibes... :smooch:

Kyra I hope you make it. I'm sending you good frog vibes... :smooch: Thanks buddy!:wiggle:

Also, I thought you had to come up before 15 meters on the underwater pull. From what I understood, that was a blanket rule for all strokes. jeff, i thought the same thing. so i just checked my 2007 rules and regs (just got it in the mail and i was excited. does that make me a total geek? :D ) there is actually no rule about 15 meters in ***. it's listed in every other stroke... which is weird, cause i was definitely under the impression that the 15 meter thing was for all 4 strokes...