I am attempting to perfect my start and turns for the breaststroke. I recently reviewed three articles on the breaststroke turn which I found on the USMS web site. All had different recommendations for the turn pullout. The article by Budd Termin and David Pendergast recommended holding for 1 second after pushing off the wall before beginning the pullout. Another by Wayne McCauley recommended 3 seconds. Another by John Moffet just says "as you begin to slow down, start your pullout." I know there has to be an optimum time and it may be somewhat swimmer dependent, but the difference I see between these three authors is huge. Can anyone help me understand this dilemma. Ray
Parents
Former Member
I would scratch the whole counting thing. The pullout needs to begin when you begin to lose momentum from your pushoff. Seconds are just an arbitrary number in this case, but the power of your pushoff and the quality of your streamline are going to dictate when the pullout needs to begin.
2-3 might very well be an accurate number for the majority of swimmers the majority of the time but I think you will be better served in the long run to make this decision on the fly, and not on a countdown.
I would scratch the whole counting thing. The pullout needs to begin when you begin to lose momentum from your pushoff. Seconds are just an arbitrary number in this case, but the power of your pushoff and the quality of your streamline are going to dictate when the pullout needs to begin.
2-3 might very well be an accurate number for the majority of swimmers the majority of the time but I think you will be better served in the long run to make this decision on the fly, and not on a countdown.
