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
Former Member
OK, true. You decelerate as soon as you leave the blocks, too. However since water is ~1,000 times denser than air your deceleration through the air can be considered negligible. :)
hmm it's possible you maybe even accelrate via the effects of gravity...
Shrugging the shoulders on the pulldown really increases streamlining and is essential.
This is during the pulldown or as your arms reach the end of travel?
Thx,
Skip
He said the rules in a round about way say you have to do the pull down.
I think he needs to reread the rules because there's nothing "roundabout" about it. You can choose to do a pullout. There is definitely no requirement to do so. The FINA rules, and presumably USA Swimming, too, phrase it the same way ("after the start and each turn, the swimmer may..."). If is definitely optional.
But for the 50 and even 25 sprints, many great breaststrokers would like to get rid of the pulldown completely...
Wayne or Allen (or anyone), have you ever tried to do a 50 without a pullout and compared the time? I have gone to a faster pullout for my 50 and had good results the last meet, but I can't imagine coming right up, especially on the start. And I don't even do the dolphin kick that's allowed. I would think that you would have to do an awfully shallow dive to make it work. Maybe the turn would be OK. When I see breaststrokers pop up without a pullout, it always seems slower.
I experimented with taking a regular breaststroke stroke underwater instead of a pull down. While it seemed faster in workout,it wasn't as fast in race conditions(possibly related being able to glide further,faster shaved and tapered.) Yes the shrug is at the end of the pull down. Doing a pushoff,dolphin kick,and then breaking the surface,would,I believe be illegal under the USMS interpretation of the FINA rules.Am I right on that?
Doing a pushoff,dolphin kick,and then breaking the surface,would,I believe be illegal under the USMS interpretation of the FINA rules.Am I right on that?
I believe that is correct. The interpretation of the rule is that the dolphin kick must occur during or after the pulldown. If it is done prior to the pulldown than that is an infraction of the rules and will result in a DQ. This isn't stated specifically in the rule book but it is how it is being enforced (for now).
The beginning of a pullout starts when decelearation begins. As you push-off the wall your moment of deceleration will be different due to leg strength and how effecient your streamlined position is, but the key to starting the pullout is the moment you begin to slow down (even a hair). So, starts the outward sweep when you feel like you're slowing down. Good luck
Shrugging the shoulders on the pulldown really increases streamlining and is essential......
Thank you, Allen! I tried the shoulder shrug at workout today, and it really felt like I got a surge in my glide. Can't wait to try it in a meet.
Old Dog always ready to learn New Tricks!
okay I got the idea of the shrug to narrow your shoulders, how the heck do I narrow my hips.....:wiggle: LOL sorry the image was just too strong, wonder if there are any women out there who thought the same thing, lots of good info in this thread that I will be working on tomorrow morning.
