At a recent thread some people advised looking for the flash of the strobe instead of listening for the beep. in another thread on starts,keeping your eyes closed to aid in focus and relaxation was recommended. I didn't think the"watch for the strobe"idea would give any advantage.Yes the speed of light is 186000mps and the speed of sound is 1000fps,but the horn is at the back of the block and so the difference would be less than .003 sec. I just read in Discover Magazine that the brain is wired up to respond to sound faster than to light,responding on average .02 faster.It seems to me that .003 is negligible but .02 is not.
Allen, if I can, I usually try to look for the strobe, or its reflection off the water. Outside, its darn near impossible, so I just settle for the sound. I kind of prefer to see something to trigger, especially as I get older and am starting to lose my hearing. :bouncing:
If you are swimmming where they have horns at each block, listen. If you are at the far lane of an outdoor compex where the pistol/horn is on the other side of the pool, use your peripheral vision to pick up the flash.
Either way, anticipate, then react!
Allen, if I can, I usually try to look for the strobe, or its reflection off the water. Outside, its darn near impossible, so I just settle for the sound. I kind of prefer to see something to trigger, especially as I get older and am starting to lose my hearing. :bouncing:
Next grudge match with me you can look for my feet entering the water...then you'll know we've started.
If you are swimmming where they have horns at each block, listen. If you are at the far lane of an outdoor compex where the pistol/horn is on the other side of the pool, use your peripheral vision to pick up the flash.
I agree with this. If you're in the far lane it could take .07 seconds (25 meters at 344 m/s) for the sound to reach you. That could easily be the difference between winning and losing in a close race.
Speaking of deaf swimmers, remember Jeff Float?
The officials told us to watch for the puff of smoke from the start pistols... I definately saw that before I heard the shot.
I also run the timing console for DGD's swim team... I would watch for the strob if at all possible.
Sure, but you had the luxury of looking right at the starter or the strobe. I don't think that will work real well on the blocks. Either you have good peripheral vision or you have to turn your head toward the starter, at least slightly. And as someone else pointed out, hope to heck nobody takes a flash photo just before the gun goes off.
Skip Montanaro
Not sure about any of you, but my peripheral vision is horrible when wearing goggles. I can't imagine using a strobe to indicate when to start would be efficient as compared to listening to the beep.
It's not coming from your peripheral, at least not like the type of starting block Rick is referring to. These blocks have a light (led series) under the lip where your fingers grab. Fed Way has them in theirs.
I wouldn't rely on attempting to start off the strobe light the timers use to start the backup watches. I'd probably break my neck doing so.
It's not coming from your peripheral, at least not like the type of starting block Rick is referring to. These blocks have a light (led series) under the lip where your fingers grab. Fed Way has them in theirs.
That's a whole 'nuther kettle of fish. I've never encountered a system like that.
Skip
Not sure about any of you, but my peripheral vision is horrible when wearing goggles. I can't imagine using a strobe to indicate when to start would be efficient as compared to listening to the beep.
I use to be a Special Olympic volunteer... usually ended up a timer. The officials told us to watch for the puff of smoke from the start pistols... I definately saw that before I heard the shot.
I also run the timing console for DGD's swim team... I would watch for the strob if at all possible.
