The Backstroke Lane

As those who have read my other posts know,backstroke is my worst stroke,but as I was swimming today I was pondering whether some true backstrokers would be faster doing something off the wall other than SDK.My fastest way is swimming as close to 15M as possible breaststroke underwater on my back.I know that wouldn't be the fastest for normal people,but since not everyone has a great SDK and since swimming underwater gives less resistance than on the surface might something like BR pull/dolphin kick be faster for some of you.Something to ponder(or should I just stay in the BR lane.) I feel your pain, Allen. Backstroke is my worst stroke, as well! Just for fun, I'm going to try your idea and have Bruce time me off the wall both ways. Interesting idea! As for staying in the Breaststroke Lane, you know you are always appreciated there. You are THE frog! Uh, make that "Frog-In-Chief"! :cheerleader:

1) 2) Please, swim more backstroke. The more you do it in competitions, the more chances I have to say "Hey! I almost came close to tying with Allen Stark in a race!" It isn't hard to beat me in BK.My 60-64 PB for 50 BR is 30.3,my PB for 50 BK is 34.3.Yes ,that is a 4 sec difference,and it only gets worse with longer distances.I entered a 200 BK once and had to make sure the timers had calendar watches.

It isn't hard to beat me in BK.My 60-64 PB for 50 BR is 30.3,my PB for 50 BK is 34.3.Yes ,that is a 4 sec difference,and it only gets worse with longer distances.I entered a 200 BK once and had to make sure the timers had calendar watches. Hysterically enough - the man who says his back is slow needs to look at my back stroke times.... I make you look like Lightning McQueen!

As those who have read my other posts know,backstroke is my worst stroke,but as I was swimming today I was pondering whether some true backstrokers would be faster doing something off the wall other than SDK.My fastest way is swimming as close to 15M as possible breaststroke underwater on my back.I know that wouldn't be the fastest for normal people,but since not everyone has a great SDK and since swimming underwater gives less resistance than on the surface might something like BR pull/dolphin kick be faster for some of you.Something to ponder(or should I just stay in the BR lane.) After reading this post, today in practice I tried a few backstroke turns with a breaststroke-on-the-back pullout. It produces good distance and seems remarkably quick. Maybe Allen is onto something.

It isn't hard to beat me in BK.My 60-64 PB for 50 BR is 30.3,my PB for 50 BK is 34.3.Yes ,that is a 4 sec difference,and it only gets worse with longer distances.I entered a 200 BK once and had to make sure the timers had calendar watches. Allen, my 50 BK was 5 seconds slower than my 50 BR in Saturday's pentathlon! :cane: But, here's the funny thing about it: After my "race" :lmao:, one of the other swimmers said I had good rotation and a strong kick. I thought he was joking! But, he sent me a message suggesting I should consider making backstroke my second stroke! (By the way, this swimmer happens to be very fast. I looked him up and he ranked around 20th in every event he competed in, since joining USMS at the beginning of the year.) OK, so my backstroke may look good, but the video shot of me looks like I was swimming in slooooow motion! I think my fly (or IM) has more potential... So, it looks like I'll be sticking with you in the Breaststroke Lane! :D

Hysterically enough - the man who says his back is slow needs to look at my back stroke times.... I make you look like Lightning McQueen! Remember for that backstroke time I swam nearly 30M of it underwater breaststroke.Since that should be faster than my regular BR think how slow the remaining less than 20 yd is.

The new swimmer mag. sept/oct has an entire article on this with pics.

As those who have read my other posts know,backstroke is my worst stroke,but as I was swimming today I was pondering whether some true backstrokers would be faster doing something off the wall other than SDK.My fastest way is swimming as close to 15M as possible breaststroke underwater on my back.I know that wouldn't be the fastest for normal people,but since not everyone has a great SDK and since swimming underwater gives less resistance than on the surface might something like BR pull/dolphin kick be faster for some of you.Something to ponder(or should I just stay in the BR lane.) 1) Is that legal? (Seriously) I always thought for back stroke after a start or wall you *have* to either dolphin kick or flutter kick your way back to the top.... Granted - I don't pay enough attention to the rules. 2) Please, swim more backstroke. The more you do it in competitions, the more chances I have to say "Hey! I almost came close to tying with Allen Stark in a race!"

1) Is that legal? (Seriously) I always thought for back stroke after a start or wall you *have* to either dolphin kick or flutter kick your way back to the top.... Granted - I don't pay enough attention to the rules. 2) Please, swim more backstroke. The more you do it in competitions, the more chances I have to say "Hey! I almost came close to tying with Allen Stark in a race!" 1) No, both Free and Back have no restictions on the motion of the arms or the legs only on the position of the body in backstroke. 2) I agree.

After reading this post, today in practice I tried a few backstroke turns with a breaststroke-on-the-back pullout. It produces good distance and seems remarkably quick. Maybe Allen is onto something. I asked somebody to time me, today, both ways- twice. My SDK was a full second slower than my ***-on-the-back pullout. Allen's idea works for me! :D