Ok - I realize that as I hit 65+, I am a little more shakey on the blocks. Fellow swimmers tell me that my starts are fairly good (I suspect they take age into consideration!); but I noticed that the guy in the lane next to me at a recent meet (who was a bit younger) started in the water and was even with me at about 20 yards into a 500.
I was wondering if anyone has a sense of what the advantage really is for "older" swimmers in terms of blocks v. in-water starts. Especially for those of us who prefer 200's and above!
So, for wall starts, do you have one hand and both feet on the wall or are you just kinda hanging there with your hand on the top of the wall/gutter? Or is that something I need to ask the timekeeper/ref?
Rule says at least one foot and hand on wall.
101.1.1 Forward Start—The forward start may be taken from the starting block, the
pool deck, or a push from the wall. At the commencement of each heat, the
referee shall signal to the swimmers by a short series of whistles to remove
all clothing except for swimwear, followed by a long whistle indicating
that they should take their positions with at least one foot at the front of the
starting platform, the edge of the pool, or on the wall before the command
“Take your mark.” Those starting in the water must have at least one hand
in contact with the wall or starting block.
Allen is correct about the pad going dead for a period after the gun to prevent false tripping. I think you can vary the time on the console, but it's at least a few seconds.
So, for wall starts, do you have one hand and both feet on the wall or are you just kinda hanging there with your hand on the top of the wall/gutter? Or is that something I need to ask the timekeeper/ref?
Rule says at least one foot and hand on wall.
101.1.1 Forward Start—The forward start may be taken from the starting block, the
pool deck, or a push from the wall. At the commencement of each heat, the
referee shall signal to the swimmers by a short series of whistles to remove
all clothing except for swimwear, followed by a long whistle indicating
that they should take their positions with at least one foot at the front of the
starting platform, the edge of the pool, or on the wall before the command
“Take your mark.” Those starting in the water must have at least one hand
in contact with the wall or starting block.
Allen is correct about the pad going dead for a period after the gun to prevent false tripping. I think you can vary the time on the console, but it's at least a few seconds.
