Noticing more frequent use of grab starts in Beijing...
Former Member
Notably by the Chinese female swimmer, and it's combined with tremendous water entries and SDK's ... I'd say almost Coughlin caliber underwaters and theyr'e coming up on the fielkd, but no one is talking about it.
Look at their entries in the 200 free. In the 100, Pang jumped so take her slight reaction time out of it and she still is well up after the SDK's.
Notice also that Lenton of Australia used the conventional grab start, as do several other of her country women.
In one particular Chinese sprinter (Le?), she squats with her but down quite low for her stance, which would seem very slow off the block. At 15 meters though she is ahead.
Any thoughts?
Parents
Former Member
Thanks, Tracy. You going to the Peachtree City Pentathlon? How about a grab start clinic?
In a kind of unscientific explanation:
1. I usually have the kids aim for trying to dive over the flags.
2. Once at the apex of the dive, you can either pike....or as I do kind of bring the legs up like a frog kick...and kick down to the water.
3. Make a single hole with your hands and try and bring the rest of the body through that hole.
4. As the legs are entering the water snap the legs down almost like a dolphin kick (not like Kitajima who did it after he was in the water) to help propel you through the water.
5. Good streamline, pulldown with a dolphin kick.
Even before the dolphin kick I used to be able to get over half way in a 25 yard pool.
It is one of those things that is a lot easier to teach at the pool.
Hope this helps.....it does take some practice to get used to.
Thanks, Tracy. You going to the Peachtree City Pentathlon? How about a grab start clinic?
In a kind of unscientific explanation:
1. I usually have the kids aim for trying to dive over the flags.
2. Once at the apex of the dive, you can either pike....or as I do kind of bring the legs up like a frog kick...and kick down to the water.
3. Make a single hole with your hands and try and bring the rest of the body through that hole.
4. As the legs are entering the water snap the legs down almost like a dolphin kick (not like Kitajima who did it after he was in the water) to help propel you through the water.
5. Good streamline, pulldown with a dolphin kick.
Even before the dolphin kick I used to be able to get over half way in a 25 yard pool.
It is one of those things that is a lot easier to teach at the pool.
Hope this helps.....it does take some practice to get used to.
