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
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Former Member
I agree with Knelson. Look up the word “may” in any dictionary. In mine, it is defined as “…used to indicate possibility”, in other words, you have to option to do so, if you choose. If a pull down was mandatory then “must” or “shall”, would have been written in the rules. Those words are not used because that was not the intent of the rule. Unless the breaststroke-breakout rules are stated differently for the Olympic and USS, then those officials who would DQ you for not taking a pull down are wrong.
I agree with Knelson. Look up the word “may” in any dictionary. In mine, it is defined as “…used to indicate possibility”, in other words, you have to option to do so, if you choose. If a pull down was mandatory then “must” or “shall”, would have been written in the rules. Those words are not used because that was not the intent of the rule. Unless the breaststroke-breakout rules are stated differently for the Olympic and USS, then those officials who would DQ you for not taking a pull down are wrong.
