The Backstroke Lane

Most of the best backstrokers rotate less than 30 degrees to each side." Thanks for the link. Re degree of rotation, these two both seem to rotate more than 45°, almost 60°? http://youtu.be/w62yfBAdSVc Nice one. Was it a mixed race? The one next to you on the right side looks like a female :confused:

I plan to swim some meet (s) next season. I've been working on my backstroke, but ignoring starts so far. As I've aged (I'm 58) my back has gotten more "touchy". Dolphin kick can set it off if I'm not careful. What sort of accommodation might I make for starts? Also, the pool I practice at has a fairly large stainless steel edge - extending several inches below the surface. How in the world am I supposed to get any "grip" there? TIA, Skip

From the video it does not look like this start is a disadvantage to you thanks to your strong SDK. For the first 25 at least. After that backstroke takes over and SDK starts drowning. Need to work on that a little. :)

From the video it does not look like this start is a disadvantage to you thanks to your strong SDK.

I plan to swim some meet (s) next season. I've been working on my backstroke, but ignoring starts so far. As I've aged (I'm 58) my back has gotten more "touchy". Dolphin kick can set it off if I'm not careful. What sort of accommodation might I make for starts? Also, the pool I practice at has a fairly large stainless steel edge - extending several inches below the surface. How in the world am I supposed to get any "grip" there? TIA, Skip You could always do a start like you're doing backstroke repeats in practice. One hand on the wall, drop under, and streamline kick. I do it quite frequently, and it can be viewed on video at a meet earlier this year. 2-19-12 - Kirkland, WA - 200 Back - YouTube I'm in the green cap in Lane 5. I do this type of backstroke start if the pads or wall are extremely slick. I don't usually grab the starting block handles either on a normal start...usually just the gutter.

For the first 25 at least. After that backstroke takes over and SDK starts drowning. Need to work on that a little. :) I'd be very happy with that time. Looks like the suffering was limited. You must've worked hard on your legs.

This thread really needs a bump! Way back in 2010 rtodd asked: How do you practice starts to gradually work up to proficiency without hurting lower back? Are there any start drills? I'd like to race backstroke, but am afraid of the start hurting my lower back. Nobody responded. :-( I am going to swim my first ever SCM meet Sunday, and my first meet of any kind except postal swims since Jan 2010. I'm swimming 50/100/200bk and 50/100fr. I will probably not humiliate myself with my freestyle starts (though they will likely not be all that good), but it's been 40-ish years since I practiced backstroke starts at all. My main concern is whether or not my back can take the stress of flinging myself back in an attempt to not do a butt flop. I will probably try a few practice starts after practice Saturday morning. I read completely through this thread, so might try both block and gutter grab. Would appreciate some feedback on potential back issues. Skip

I use the block at meets, but I really do get a better start from the gutter. My teammate gave me this tip. I've found I get a better start without straining my back if I throw my hands a bit out and to the side, instead of straight over my head. My hands still come back together to streamline underwater, but I get more power and a faster start this way.

I would agree that there are fewer forces to tweak the back when starting from the gutter. Not as explosive, but adequate. I'd use the gutter first and see how it goes.

Does anybody have a good video showing an effective gutter start? I would be interested to see it- and, copy it! I'm not a backstroker, but every once in awhile I race 50 backstroke for the heck of it. :D