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SDK a red herring in freestyle sprinting?

rtodd
This may be controversial but is SDK really mandatory for fast freestyle? Don't see much of it here, it looks like they wan't to surface ASAP: www.youtube.com/watch I know proponents will link to Phelps' 200 WR, but other than that, I don't see many people exploiting it. Will we see huge SDK in freestyle at the upcoming Olympics? I don't fly because of my back, so my SDK in freestyle is minimal. I'd like to think I don't need it. I'm keen to watch for it in elite freestyle races and it is a mixed bag. Many are fast without a big prolonged SDK.
  • It depends on your strengths(and height,as I have noted before height is not as important underwater as on the surface.) Most great sprinters swim free faster than they SDK so the less time underwater the better for them. If your SDK is faster then do it,if not don't.
  • It looks to me that maybe there is one, maybe two SDK's to extend the streamline an extra body length to get under the incoming wave, but I don't thing the SDK's are there in freestyle for anything other than that. Unless exploiting an exceedingly proficient SDK skill developed from fly and back I think it boils down to personal preference for free.
  • Bobbyhillny,see my new thread on form and wave drag.
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    This may be controversial but is SDK really mandatory for fast freestyle? To each his own. It looks as if the majority of top sprinters still burst off of each turn with a flutter kick. The new record at last years NCAA championships by Cesar Cielo shows him using maybe one dolphin kick... and then transitioned right into a rapid fire flutter. www.youtube.com/watch On the other hand...Ian Crocker has mastered the ninja dolphin kick. He stayed under with a huge series of SDK in this race...and he went 41 seconds as well! Same results different approach. www.youtube.com/watch
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    It depends on your strengths(and height,as I have noted before height is not as important underwater as on the surface.) Most great sprinters swim free faster than they SDK so the less time underwater the better for them. If your SDK is faster then do it,if not don't. I'm interested about the comment you made that height is not as important underwater. But I couldn't find the post where you mentioned it. Can you provide the link or explain it again? thanks. Curious mind wants to know.
  • yes I did I got tired of writing it out in my blog and comments so I just started using SDK SDK= streamlined dolphin kick.I believe Ande coined it.
  • It depends on your strengths(and height,as I have noted before height is not as important underwater as on the surface.) Most great sprinters swim free faster than they SDK so the less time underwater the better for them. If your SDK is faster then do it,if not don't. For me, I like SDKs for fly and back. For the 50 free, I think I only take 2-3 off the start and turn and just get up and go. For the 100 free though, I'm more apt to take 4-5 off each wall. I think I would be faster in SCY or SCM in the 100s with the SDKs than without. But it completely depends on the individual and how well they can SDK. Since I'm on the short side, I think I'm faster this way.
  • looks like roland took 3 SDKs, Jason Lezak doesn't take any Each swimmer needs to figure out what works best they need to experiment, find out how fast they are, each swimmer needs to find her ideal breakout point Thanks Ande for not being SDK biased. I know you are good at it. I am trying to accomplish proficient freestyle without alot of SDK due to lower back problems and I think it can be done. But it completely depends on the individual and how well they can SDK. Since I'm on the short side, I think I'm faster this way Thanks Fortress for the same sentiment. I am experimenting with 1-2 SDK to extend streamline just a bit.
  • looks like roland took 3 SDKs, Jason Lezak doesn't take any Each swimmer needs to figure out what works best they need to experiment, find out how fast they are, each swimmer needs to find her ideal breakout point it's all about effort speed and momentum ie when Ian Crocker went 41.6 in the 100 scy fr her took around 10 SDKs off each wall figure out what works best for you This may be controversial but is SDK really mandatory for fast freestyle? Don't see much of it here, it looks like they wan't to surface ASAP: www.youtube.com/watch I know proponents will link to Phelps' 200 WR, but other than that, I don't see many people exploiting it. Will we see huge SDK in freestyle at the upcoming Olympics? I don't fly because of my back, so my SDK in freestyle is minimal. I'd like to think I don't need it. I'm keen to watch for it in elite freestyle races and it is a mixed bag. Many are fast without a big prolonged SDK.