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
Former Member
5) Better yet, make 50 streamline dolphin kick it's own event, &
Too many people passing out trying it. It should be an event on the elite level though.
Taylor Hill of UT "set" the WR in the 50 M back lat summer doing this. 24 low I think. Of course it didn't count. Actually, Ande, I think you are the one who told me that (via this forum).
Somthing I do not get: If you can go 15M off the start underwater in the 100 fly, then you should not be allowed to go 15M off each turn. The first 5M off the start are out of the water, so shouldn't it be 10M off each turn?
Remember, technically, entering the turn is still considered the backstroke leg and should be governed by backstroke rules which do allow you to enter on your stomach now. Breastroke rules should not apply to entering the turn.
Actually the rules are set so that you must finish each stroke leg with a legal finish for that stroke. You can't roll over onto your front in the backstroke finish so you can't do so at the end of the backstroke leg of the IM.
And yes, I do realize that you are mocking the trend of late to change the rules to make what used to be cheating legal. :p
Lindsay,
Good of you to try and inject rational thought to the process of rule making..... or shall we say rule "breaking". Remember.... you used to have to swim and finish *** stroke without allowing your head to go under water. That has changed as well. Changing something because of a particular stroke finish would be a rounding error compared to previous stroke changes which occupy a much greater percentage of the race.
Ande,
Now, you don't actually think there are really masters swimmers out there that would take these substances do you?
John Smith
I just look a look at about 10 starts from men's non-backstroke events in the 2004 Olympics and about 3M (10 feet) is where the entry point is.
I'll take your word for it, but it seems strange. Most of these guys are over six feet tall, so figure with their arms over their heads that's eight feet. To go out ten feet means they are only entering about two feet forward of the blocks.
edit: I just looked at a couple of videos on youtube and have to agree. Definitely no more than four meters where their hands initially enter the water.
Paul I think you are right: I looked at the viedo again and I am probably two feet from the end of the solid marker. Is the 5M standard for yard pools too? My dive may have been even shorter than I thought! Anyhow, I will look into getting on to youtube because Ande is in the clip for about half a second and he is kind of a celeb around here.
No, I meant that the solid markers are standard at 5M in high/elite level meets. Your local pool could be anywhere between 10-18 feet depending. The pool where I swim, you have to be careful using the solids as the ropes have been repaired so many times that it's a huge range.
While attending our district HS championships I noticed 1-2 swimmers
that did what someone called an australian flip turn,
during both the back stroke and the IM.
It was too fast to see specifics and I am curious how
one actually does this turn.
Peter,
You have captured the spirit of this discussion.
The "Spitzer" turn it is !
Now.... how do we file for a rule change with USMS and USA swimming? This should be easily approved as it will undoubtedly help to break more records and promote faster swimming without extra training or talent.
John Smith
