Preparing for the 100 IM at Masters Nationals in May has lead me to think about the exchange between Backstroke and Breastroke. How can USA Swimming (and Masters) further bend over to pressure in the sport for additional speed and record breaking.
I propose that one be allowed to flip from back to *** on an IM by rolling over on to your stomach (like a normal backstroke turn or freestyle turn) and push off on your stomach for your pullout without touching the wall (with your hand).
This could cut as much as a half second off the race. I mean whats the point in touching the wall anymore? We don't do it on backstroke.
Besides, aren't rules made to be broken if its in favor of making the sport faster and breaking records..... :-)
John Smith
Preparing for the 100 IM at Masters Nationals in May has lead me to think about the exchange between Backstroke and Breastroke. How can USA Swimming (and Masters) further bend over to pressure in the sport for additional speed and record breaking.
I propose that one be allowed to flip from back to *** on an IM by rolling over on to your stomach (like a normal backstroke turn or freestyle turn) and push off on your stomach for your pullout without touching the wall (with your hand).
This could cut as much as a half second off the race. I mean whats the point in touching the wall anymore? We don't do it on backstroke.
Besides, aren't rules made to be broken if its in favor of making the sport faster and breaking records..... :-)
John Smith
John,
Is it bending to pressure to lower times or is trying to simplify the ruling process? As someone who has been a swim official for some time both under the 'old school' methods and the new. It is much easier to isolate violations in stroke, especially in Breaststroke, under the new requirements than under the requirements from 20+ years ago. Less things to keep track of, means that officials can focus better. No more, did the water go COMPLETELY over the head, or did it break over just on the sides? Were the swimmer's hands COMPLETELY level at the touch or not? Personally, I think those pressures have a lot more impact than 'let's get lower times'
Things change, technology changes, understanding of how the body moves thru water changes.
Paul
Preparing for the 100 IM at Masters Nationals in May has lead me to think about the exchange between Backstroke and Breastroke. How can USA Swimming (and Masters) further bend over to pressure in the sport for additional speed and record breaking.
I propose that one be allowed to flip from back to *** on an IM by rolling over on to your stomach (like a normal backstroke turn or freestyle turn) and push off on your stomach for your pullout without touching the wall (with your hand).
This could cut as much as a half second off the race. I mean whats the point in touching the wall anymore? We don't do it on backstroke.
Besides, aren't rules made to be broken if its in favor of making the sport faster and breaking records..... :-)
John Smith
John,
Is it bending to pressure to lower times or is trying to simplify the ruling process? As someone who has been a swim official for some time both under the 'old school' methods and the new. It is much easier to isolate violations in stroke, especially in Breaststroke, under the new requirements than under the requirements from 20+ years ago. Less things to keep track of, means that officials can focus better. No more, did the water go COMPLETELY over the head, or did it break over just on the sides? Were the swimmer's hands COMPLETELY level at the touch or not? Personally, I think those pressures have a lot more impact than 'let's get lower times'
Things change, technology changes, understanding of how the body moves thru water changes.
Paul
