Best starting block position: left foot forward or right foot?
Former Member
I remember when my friend taught me how to water ski. He told me to stand feet together and then he pushed me. Instinctively my left foot shot out to steady myself. He said that is the foot that should be in front on the slalom ski.
What is the thinking on the starting block position? Which foot should be in front?
Syd
Parents
Former Member
You have three options for feet placement:
1 - both feet forward
2 - left foot forward
3 - right foot forward
Most folks will tell you that #1 gives you the slowest reaction time, but the force of the two-feet will essentially negate any of that once you hit the water.
#2 and #3 are by comfort level. You probably want to put your stronger leg as the forward leg. I am right handed, and 51% right footed, but it is the left leg that is forward for me. I think this is because of basketball. In a layup, if you're going up for a layup, your inner leg is the one you jump off. Since I am righty, I spent more time going off my left leg, therefore making it the stronger leg.
Try 10 starts w/ your left leg forward; then 10 with your right. See which gives you the faster start and the better breakout. Pick that one.
If you are going to do the "track" start which is one of the feet forward, you will know which of your legs is the strongest for the push-off; that's the leg that's forward for most people. I am one of those with both feet even, not staggered, and even though people say it's not a fast start, I have to disagree here. I had one of the fastest freestyle starts in over 40 races; my response time was lightning speed and I don't think it was because of my foot placement; it was my body's reaction time to a gun sound, and with both legs driving off the blocks, I always was a half-body length ahead of everyone when we surfaced. But in my favorite stroke, backstroke, I had to struggle with that same situation; my response time was less and I never figured it out. Thus, I was usually a back-half swimmer who came from behind, over and over again.
Donna
You have three options for feet placement:
1 - both feet forward
2 - left foot forward
3 - right foot forward
Most folks will tell you that #1 gives you the slowest reaction time, but the force of the two-feet will essentially negate any of that once you hit the water.
#2 and #3 are by comfort level. You probably want to put your stronger leg as the forward leg. I am right handed, and 51% right footed, but it is the left leg that is forward for me. I think this is because of basketball. In a layup, if you're going up for a layup, your inner leg is the one you jump off. Since I am righty, I spent more time going off my left leg, therefore making it the stronger leg.
Try 10 starts w/ your left leg forward; then 10 with your right. See which gives you the faster start and the better breakout. Pick that one.
If you are going to do the "track" start which is one of the feet forward, you will know which of your legs is the strongest for the push-off; that's the leg that's forward for most people. I am one of those with both feet even, not staggered, and even though people say it's not a fast start, I have to disagree here. I had one of the fastest freestyle starts in over 40 races; my response time was lightning speed and I don't think it was because of my foot placement; it was my body's reaction time to a gun sound, and with both legs driving off the blocks, I always was a half-body length ahead of everyone when we surfaced. But in my favorite stroke, backstroke, I had to struggle with that same situation; my response time was less and I never figured it out. Thus, I was usually a back-half swimmer who came from behind, over and over again.
Donna
