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.
Former Member
if you watch crocker's turn / SDK at world's in the 100 fl
there's not much glide after his push off
he begins his SDK almost immediately
there's a little more glide off the start
You're correct of course, because for most swimmers (even at the elite level) a starting dive creates more momentum, so it take a bit longer for the glide to slow down to the point where kicking (Dolphin or Flutter) does NOT slow the glide down while pushing off after a turn creates less momentum. Now Phelps, being of a different life-form .......... well.............
"The dolphin kick we're seeing has to be considered the fifth stroke now. I think swimming has moved to a new era, a new level. It will challenge all coaches and swimmers around the world."
news.bbc.co.uk/.../6528915.stm
..."Looking at the race, Phelps gained 0.4 - 0.5 seconds off the start and after each of the first two turns — possibly more on the last turn. That equates to about two seconds in a 200 free, and ironically (or not) his margin of victory was a little more than those said two seconds."
www.timedfinals.com/.../
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
Quicksilver, both of those links are the same. I think you meant this one: www.youtube.com/watch
His SDK is HUGE! He SDK's for almost a third of the pool on each length. He is moving so quickly it is as if he is wearing fins!
And just watch Crocker in th 100 Fly here. He whups the rest of the field with more MASSIVE SDK's!
www.youtube.com/watch
But as you pointed out: same results, different approach.
Syd
