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
OK. I'll bite. Hit on the sites below. The turn I have described in the past is illustrated. Top arm, body roll, side push. The only problem, it is legal and was designed in the early 70's. So it ain't cheatin.
youtube.com/watchyoutube.com/watch
forums.usms.org/showthread.php
TGIF.
Thanks for posting.
This has got to be what I was seeing at our club/HS swim meet.
Question:
If someone knows how to do this turn clean and fast and uses this instead of te traditional roll/flip in a backstroke event,could they actually be faster?
Shark,
That's just a classic back to *** bucket turn only dipping your head underwater instead of keeping above water...... nothing new really.
The problem with this turn is that you still have to touch the wall. We're lookin' for genuine cheating alternatives...... i.e. ways to go faster without extra training or talent.
John Smith
Now that the rules allow one dolphin kick in breaststroke the cheaters are sneaking in two, one under the cover of splash, the second in the legal timing. We could change the rules to allow unlimited dolphin kicking off the start and turns in breaststroke, which would make judging easier. Heck, it's hard to tell whether the toes are turned out so we could allow dolphin kicking all the way through the race.
Now, if we want to increase speed generally we could eliminate breaststroke altogether which would bring the average speed up at meets, and reduce the timeline. If you wanted to maintain the medal count you could add 50 free and fly to the Olympics to replace the 100 and 200 ***.
:p
Or slightly less ambitious we could allow even more buoyant suits?
Or perhaps webbed hands or webbing between the legs for improved dolphin kicking? Gee, would that even be illegal under current rules?
I like the legal dolphin kick on the breaststroke pull-out (I think it dropped about a second from my 50 time). I'm not sure how many remaining possible rule changes would speed things up for most people. How much would a back-to-*** flip turn speed things up?
Perhaps there is potential to bring back the old Russian technique of injecting air into the lower intestines to provide greater buoyancy.
To paraphrase noted philosopher Mr. 'T', "I pity the poor fool timers..."
Returning to the spirit of John's initial post, I propose to name this new turn, saluting the desire to legitimize cheating, as the "Spitzer"...
Or, alternatively, "The Steamroller."
I really need to send him a thank you note. My wife didn't give me any grief over the Speedo sweats I ordered this week after hearing about his $4000 call girl. Good time to buy another Fastskin.
Perhaps there is potential to bring back the old Russian technique of injecting air into the lower intestines to provide greater buoyancy.
Or, conversely (same result) eat lots and lots of beans.................
(Apart from added buoyancy, possibility of jet propulsion..........)
Having just gotten DQ'd yesterday on the IM - Back to *** turn . . . something about having shoulders square to the wall . . .
Say what?!!!
I've been an official for several years and I don't recall this being in the rule book. In fact I just re-read the rules to make sure. Sounds like the S&T official didn't know the rules.
Having just gotten DQ'd yesterday on the IM - Back to *** turn . . . something about having shoulders square to the wall . . .
Keep your turns legal! I made a stupid rookie mistake and am mad at myself.
Anyway - how about making the warm-up an event? Dodging a variety of strokes & turns, pool entries from both ends, people leaving lanes, no rhyme or reason to the chaos -- and oh yea, THIS lane is now a sprint lane . . .
You get points:
1 - for swimming a clean lap - not getting touched or touching anyone.
1 - for continous swimming - any stroke (minus points if you touch someone) double points for complete breaststroke
You get DQ'd for using weapons (handpaddles & fins)
