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
I was DQ'd recently because my 2nd pull began before my head broke the surface.
Remember the rule says your head must break the surface before the insweep. It's perfectly acceptable to start the outward portion of the pull before your head breaks the surface.
101.2.2—Stroke
From the beginning of the first arm stroke after the start and after each turn, the
body shall be kept on the ***. It is not permitted to roll onto the back at any
time. Throughout the race the stroke cycle must be one arm stroke and one leg
kick in that order. All movements of the arms shall be simultaneous and in the
same horizontal plane without alternating movement. The hands shall be pushed
forward together from the *** on, under or over the water. The elbows shall be
under water except for the final stroke before the turn, during the turn and for the
final stroke at the finish. The hands shall be brought back on or under the surface
of the water. The hands shall not be brought back beyond the hip line, except during
the first stroke after the start and each turn. During each complete cycle, some
part of the swimmer’s head shall break the surface of the water. After the start and
after each turn, the swimmer may take one arm stroke completely back to the legs.
The head must break the surface of the water before the hands turn inward at the
widest part of the second stroke.
(my emphasis)
I was DQ'd recently because my 2nd pull began before my head broke the surface.
Remember the rule says your head must break the surface before the insweep. It's perfectly acceptable to start the outward portion of the pull before your head breaks the surface.
101.2.2—Stroke
From the beginning of the first arm stroke after the start and after each turn, the
body shall be kept on the ***. It is not permitted to roll onto the back at any
time. Throughout the race the stroke cycle must be one arm stroke and one leg
kick in that order. All movements of the arms shall be simultaneous and in the
same horizontal plane without alternating movement. The hands shall be pushed
forward together from the *** on, under or over the water. The elbows shall be
under water except for the final stroke before the turn, during the turn and for the
final stroke at the finish. The hands shall be brought back on or under the surface
of the water. The hands shall not be brought back beyond the hip line, except during
the first stroke after the start and each turn. During each complete cycle, some
part of the swimmer’s head shall break the surface of the water. After the start and
after each turn, the swimmer may take one arm stroke completely back to the legs.
The head must break the surface of the water before the hands turn inward at the
widest part of the second stroke.
(my emphasis)
