Looks pretty cool to me, I would like to try one out. However, what about relay starts? Cant really do the step and hop start with those things in the way. Wonder if they fold down or would just be removed for relays.
greg
Looks like CHEATIN' to me.
Show me a cheater, and I'll show you a winner everytime.
If the committee changes the rule to allow it, it ain't cheatin'. Looks like the RaceClub folks are being proactive and just preparing for the change. When did the blocks become so long, from front to back? My guess would be when teams started to do step in relay starts. Longer block, better motion for relays, faster times. Committee allowed it. I'm guessing though. I do not see this as being any different than any other changes that have come about in this sport over the last 100 years. Why the changes? Because people want faster times. Plain and simple, we want faster times. If you can get more of your motion and energy in the horizontal faster from the blocks, you'll have faster times. I see the track block as being able to transfer energy faster in the horizontal and towards the other end of the pool. Shortest distance between two points is a straight line. I say, BRAVO, to the coaches who thought this up. They are the ones bending the envelope. Hooray!!! Faster times.
ok i found my protractor... was hiding under my desk this whole time!!
I measured the angle of the backstop from the closeup photo in that original post's link. Using the top of the block as zero (in other words, my protractor is already slanted 10 degrees), the backstop is at a 30 degree angle (or 30 degrees + the angle of the block).
You know there's obsession in the air when we're breaking out protractors:D! It seems to me that FINA will have to change the rules to use these blocks. But I don't think they will make any blocks (and especially any pools) obsolete. It seems that these would be extremely easy to retrofit on existing blocks and have them be easily removable.
Wow I'm surprised the 10 degree remark got the protractors out. I was just going to settle for a trig relationship.
But I think what Glider mentioned is probably how this will go down--or at least how FINA will make it go down. The Swimming World article was more of the "when" this will happen rather than the "if". FINA can just say that the calculation doesn't involve the backstop, or at least wasn't intended to.
For relay takeoffs, I can't see much coming of this. One thing that would be interesting is that if swimmers begin to place only one foot on the relay takeoff judging platform, the swimmer's other foot could be in contact with the backstop (which I presume is part of the block) while having no feet in contact with the RJP, registerring an early takeoff. That's not a big deal at the Olympics where there are backup timing cameras that can be used to confirm an early takeoff, but at other meets, that could be a problem. That might necessitate a rules change.
Patrick King
ok i found my protractor... was hiding under my desk this whole time!!
I measured the angle of the backstop from the closeup photo in that original post's link. Using the top of the block as zero (in other words, my protractor is already slanted 10 degrees), the backstop is at a 30 degree angle (or 30 degrees + the angle of the block).
I think the starting platform surface will remain at 10 degrees and FINA will look at this development as a "chock" attachment to the blocks (a "chock" is what you see a trucker place under their tires to prevent the vehicle from rolling while parked.)
Looking at this as a starting platform attachment...It is utilized much the same as a runner places their starting block on the track. It also eliminates a lot of the expense of having to replace a ton of starting blocks across the country. I see FINA looking at defining the specs on this kind of platform "attachment."
You know there's obsession in the air when we're breaking out protractors:D! It seems to me that FINA will have to change the rules to use these blocks. But I don't think they will make any blocks (and especially any pools) obsolete. It seems that these would be extremely easy to retrofit on existing blocks and have them be easily removable.
Invented by coaches driven by some grand quest for faster times? Riiight.
I think you're dreaming. This is driven by the dollar, period.
Hooray for the dollar. Faster times. Period.
If we are going to debate the effectiveness of technology on the sport I think you need to look at all the advances that have occurred since the days of Weismueller. If not, then throw away all of the indoor venues and have everyone swim open water without turns. Straight 100 yards, from here to there. I mean think about it, if it weren't for the changes that have occurred and voted on by the committee, we would still be starting off of wooden decks in ponds with a lot of waves, wearing tunics, without goggles. I say accept it, use it, get faster, put your name in the books, make money, live happily ever after. The Great American Way. Maybe we can have a thread about the changes that have occurred to allow for the times we have now. Geochuck, I know you are lurking, you have seen many changes since Australia '56. How fast would Phelps be if he had flat blocks, flat walls, no gutters, shallow water, heavy fabric, no goggles, HAIR, etc. Fast I know, he is Michael Phelps, but I do not believe he would be able to go the times he does now. There is no way. Accept advances and move on. Any drop of .1 is a good drop if the playing field is level. IMO. Not that anyone asked.
On the news front, Timed Finals is reporting that the blocks will not be in use at the Olympics, but they will begin appearing in September.
Patrick King
