I've always had horrible starts and I think they have gotten worse from all the years of not being used. Are there some drills I can do, since I rarely get to do starts during my designated lap swim time? Specifically I need to get my arms doing the right thing. I don't know where I picked up the habit of bringing my arms toward my chest and then out when I start, but it looks silly, and isn't very effective. I was so worried about not falling off the blocks this afternoon that I didn't even realize I had done that strange maneuver until I was hitting the water.
I have had problems with my starts too. For the last few weeks I have made a point at the end of practice to make time for a few starts. If there is someone around to watch what I am doing I will ask for assistance and comments. I know my bad habits I am trying to break (the thighs slapping the water) and I am trying to add a dolphin kick. When I don't have a red mark I did something right, but then I am working on speed and distance on the start too and I use the red line at the bottom of the pool as an indicator if my start got me far enough with speed. Practice makes perfect.
Find someone at the pool who can critique your start, then just do a few each day. Even if you are by yourself, you can practice, practice, practice. If you are working on what you do with your arms then focus on that for a few starts each day. See what feels fast and gets you farther.
Good luck.
Donna
I have had problems with my starts too. For the last few weeks I have made a point at the end of practice to make time for a few starts. If there is someone around to watch what I am doing I will ask for assistance and comments. I know my bad habits I am trying to break (the thighs slapping the water) and I am trying to add a dolphin kick. When I don't have a red mark I did something right, but then I am working on speed and distance on the start too and I use the red line at the bottom of the pool as an indicator if my start got me far enough with speed. Practice makes perfect.
Find someone at the pool who can critique your start, then just do a few each day. Even if you are by yourself, you can practice, practice, practice. If you are working on what you do with your arms then focus on that for a few starts each day. See what feels fast and gets you farther.
Good luck.
Donna
