I want the Backstroke flags moved out at least 1 or 2 yards (or meters) - it's just too close - who will second my motion ?
I don't swim a lot of backstroke - and I have not done anything fast until I started tackling the IM this season - but the flags are just too close for me. I do have a very long stroke (plus I am tall) - but does anybody else have this problem ? My fastest backstroke turns are using one stroke to intiate the roll over to my stomach and then using one full stroke on my stomach. I pretty much have to look and anticipate the flags - otherwise I am too late and I miss out on my full free stroke.
It should not be that difficult - they just need to drill new holes into every pool dack in the country ....
Flags rule:
Long course and short course meters—5 meters (16 feet, 5 inches)
from each end of the course, a minimum of 1.8 meters (5 feet, 11 inches)
to a maximum of 2.5 meters (8 feet, 3 inches) above the water surface.
B Short course yards—15 feet (4.57 meters) from each end of the course,
7 feet (2.13 meters) above the water surface.
The difference in the distance I'm sure is the difference in FINA making the meters rule and USA-S/USMS/YMCA/High School/NCAA making the yards. Why would we want pools to spend all that money drilling four new holes for a foot and a half difference?
I am a backstroker, after I pass the flag in a race I take three arm pulls then roll to my stomach and flip. I'm a measly 5'6" and my wing span is about 5'8" and it generally takes me 16-18 strokes a length 25 yards or meters. I would think this is pretty average.
If I have been swimming yards in practice and switch to meters, I remind myself by doing some fast 50's before the meet, where I need to turn.
A better rule change would be to allow us to not have to do the continuous turning motion once we are on our stomach. Let us kick into the wall!
Flags rule:
Long course and short course meters—5 meters (16 feet, 5 inches)
from each end of the course, a minimum of 1.8 meters (5 feet, 11 inches)
to a maximum of 2.5 meters (8 feet, 3 inches) above the water surface.
B Short course yards—15 feet (4.57 meters) from each end of the course,
7 feet (2.13 meters) above the water surface.
The difference in the distance I'm sure is the difference in FINA making the meters rule and USA-S/USMS/YMCA/High School/NCAA making the yards. Why would we want pools to spend all that money drilling four new holes for a foot and a half difference?
I am a backstroker, after I pass the flag in a race I take three arm pulls then roll to my stomach and flip. I'm a measly 5'6" and my wing span is about 5'8" and it generally takes me 16-18 strokes a length 25 yards or meters. I would think this is pretty average.
If I have been swimming yards in practice and switch to meters, I remind myself by doing some fast 50's before the meet, where I need to turn.
A better rule change would be to allow us to not have to do the continuous turning motion once we are on our stomach. Let us kick into the wall!
