Last question...I've never seen anyone dive in and swim back before this video. I'm assuming that is not legal for meets? I've seen the bar gripping/push, and I've actually done it. I'd think if the dive was allowed everyone would be doing it.
Not trying to be a pain here, I just don't know much about backstroke. I did a 50 back at a meet once, to break up time between other events....it was about 4 seconds slower than my 50 ***.
I would love to be able to do your easy speed back... when I'm all-out sprinting!
seriously, nice SDK!!! you have great hip through toe flexibility. do your knees hyperextend a bit too? looks like maybe. thanks for posting, Ande!
here's my replies to each person who posted so far and
thanks to those who gave it a 5 star rating
ande
Hey jaeg,
I was going easy, went 28 for the 50, I hope to get back to where I can SDK a 50 in 24 or 25 low
You're getting a lot of speed on your SDK's.
Hi Husker,
thank you, please go on living
not being able to hold air when you SDK on your back is a problem
I think it's better to hold your air than to leak it out, you've got to figure out how to seal it, I do it by flexing muscles in the bridge of my nose, it feels like I'm pushing them down, maybe I'll do a youtube video of it
open closed open closed
Alegra Breaux who I used to train with could seal her nose holes with her upper lip
Some do the slow leak
some wear a nose clip
MichiganHusker
Nice Ande - Your SDKs are to die for. I still can't figure out how to be able to pinch my nose closed so that I don't run out of air without getting water up my nose.
Thanks George
geochuck Great form Andy great u w kicking. I checked it on Dart Swim
Hi Fort,
Thank you
I do the nose bridge flex technique
I hope to have a decent 200 back, I need to quit pulling on the rope, i've worn down the skin on my left hand's finger tips (ring, middle, and pointer)
Here's my SDK chart:
050 12
100 10
200 4 - 6 though I'd love to be in good enough shape and to split my 200 well enough to take 8 off the 150 turn
I intend to train backstroke for the next year
The Fortress Unlike me, you clearly do not need a monofin. Rather, I need the ability to flex my nose and close it so I'm not constantly exhaling. What'd you do? Only 11-12 SDKs off the walls? I see a blazing 200 back in your future. How many SDKs are you planning for your 50, 100, 200 at LC Nats? (I think you said 6 off the turns in your 200? If it's long course, shouldn't you do more?)
Now, that you're such an expert SDK-er on your back, are you going to ditch backstroke when the short course season arrives? Your ADD seems to lead you to change events each and every season. At least I know you won't be doing any evilstroke
Hi Carrie,
I hope you can
glad you like my SDK
My knees slightly hyperextend, (not sure how far back they go, less than some more than others)
aquaFeisty I would love to be able to do your easy speed back... when I'm all-out sprinting!
seriously, nice SDK!!! you have great hip through toe flexibility. do your knees hyperextend a bit too? looks like maybe. thanks for posting, Ande!
Hi, Andy,
If it is possible, can you film how to do freestyle kick and upload it? Not the underwater DK, just normal freestyle kick with arm pull. Thanks.
Just pondering out loud. Esecially after watching Ande's entry in his "SDK on your back Special"
Having lifeguarded, I'd hope that they would not allow this. I've seen running starts turn very ugly, with both slipping on deck (broken bones), as well as hitting the water on your side with some bad nosebleeds and other pulled muscles. I know things shouldn't get bad during a USMS meet, but for insurance reasons, I don't see it happening.
Well, I purposely did some back during warmup today, and I tried to do a dolphin kick off my turn, but my body just didn't go along. I did a very strong back flutter out beyond the flags. We usually have a coach who will work on stroke with us, I'll have to ask her for help on my back (and maybe eventually I'll relent and have her work on my fly).
I remember watching people do stand-up backstroke starts during my brief age group career (1987-89) and thanking, "Man, I'm glad I'm not a backstroker!"
I do miss not being able to curl the toes over, though. I always wondered why they changed that rule. Ande's comment makes sense.
I don't see any reason to change that rule. Most of the rule changes lately have been from things that were difficult to judge, such as allowing a single dolphin kick on the *** pullout, or allowing you to roll onto your stomach on a backstroke turn. The backstroke start rules are very clear-cut already. The start judge just needs to ensure everyone is facing the wall with their toes not showing above the surface of the water.
I don't see any reason to change that rule. Most of the rule changes lately have been from things that were difficult to judge, such as allowing a single dolphin kick on the *** pullout, or allowing you to roll onto your stomach on a backstroke turn. The backstroke start rules are very clear-cut already. The start judge just needs to ensure everyone is facing the wall with their toes not showing above the surface of the water.
This rule has been changed again. Now the toes can be out of the water but they cannot curl over the gutter or pool edge.
101.1.2—Backstroke Start
A Starting commands—At the commencement of each heat, the referee shall
signal to the swimmers by a short series of whistles to remove all clothing
except for swimwear. At the referee’s first long whistle, the swimmers shall
immediately enter the water and at the second long whistle shall return without
undue delay to the starting position.
B All courses—
The swimmers shall line up in the water facing the starting end
with both hands placed on the gutter or on the starting grips. Standing in or on
the gutter or placing the toes over the lip of the gutter or bending the toes over
the lip of the gutter before or after the start is prohibited. A backstroke starting
block may not be used.
