The Sprint Free Lane

I bet there is some insurance reason why there isn't usually any diving block training available during masters swimming. Perhaps the insurance that is covered by our USMS registration doesn't cover that. Although usually when I am at lap swim or masters swim there is the diving board available in an "open area" of the pool, anyway. Maybe a good compromise would be for us to encourage our own individual pools/teams to offer a "starts" clinic where we could pay for an extra lesson and they would have the starting blocks for us to practice. We would have to make sure there enough swim committed for them to offer it. All I know if that the only time I EVER get to practice going off on diving blocks is at MEETS and I feel embarrassed (especially at a relay) that I even after I finish a 100 I still feel my "strawberry" from my entry. Good thing the relays are usually meant for fun and (usually) guaranteed points at a meet.

Seeing as starts are so important in a 50 and 100, i was wondering what kind of training you guys do for them, in the pool and for dry land training

I usually wait till the short blast of whistles...then the command "take you mark", and at the BEEP, I react as fast as possible. :D My reaction time is pretty good but my problem is my entry, period. I need to seriously work on my starting block entries but I can't at my pool. The only place I "practice" team is at a meet. I don't go too deep in my entry but it still feels like to much of a belly flop...YIKES!

Hey, sprint freestylers, I have some new videos I have posted in my home lane (The Breaststroke Lane) and The Butterfly Lane. I am hoping to make NQT's in 50 free, so I have a few videos I would like to include here for some constructive feedback. The 50 free is slow (my PB is :33 from the blocks); it's a 37 from a push off, however, this was done right after filming my 50 and 25 breaststroke with no rest. (And, the morning after a Halloween party...:blush: ). OK; no more excuses- except one: Open turns are required for me, due to Meniere's (inner ear disorder) and not being able to do flip turns without getting disoriented and seasick! 1. http://youtu.be/gzg8Csnk17c - 50 free 2. http://youtu.be/bKCJ4zmMKFw - 25 free 3. http://youtu.be/iOwbKbMAHEk - Freestyle open turn- HELP! 4. http://youtu.be/VIelJi4ygAg - Freestyle open turn- side view. HELP! It feels so much slower than my breaststroke turn. Any advice would be MUCH appreciated! THANKS! :chug:

To stop landing "flat"on starts try to push harder with your quads - calfs & toes. The last feeling from the blocks should be your toes pushing off hard. All of these along with a good upper body entry should help in a better start. And yes using blocks more often with some coaching will also help.

when the going gets tough the sprinters get tougher

when the going gets tough the sprinters get tougher Hey, Ande, nice job bumpin' all of the lanes. :agree: But, did you notice there was one lane you didn't have to bump? :D FROGS ROCK! :banana:

Any suggestions on how to practice a 'shoulder driven' freestyle slowly? I find it very difficult to practice slowly when every stroke should be immediately beginning the pulling cycle upon entry...If you sprint with a 6-beat kick (and a few elites do not), its hard to swim it slow without your legs sinking. Slow shoulder-driven is easier with a 4-beat kick but if you don't plan to race it there's not much of a point to practice that way. You can use fins to keep your feet up and keep swimming downhill with a 6-beat kick.

Any suggestions on how to practice a 'shoulder driven' freestyle slowly? I find it very difficult to practice slowly when every stroke should be immediately beginning the pulling cycle upon entry...

I bet there is some insurance reason why there isn't usually any diving block training available during masters swimming. I can't remember the last time I've swum at a masters practice when the coach specifically said that using blocks wasn't allowed. Nearly every masters team I've ever swum with has blocks available. Now getting swimmers to actually use the blocks is the problem. The coach usually has to coax them (and me) out of the pool, especially when it is cold outside. Even when I swim at a local city pool during lap swim that has blocks, I've nicely asked the lifeguards, and been able to use them.