Regarding the back to *** turn in the IM, is it legal to grab the wall or top of the gutter when turning? I find that grabbing the wall helps in pulling the legs into the wall in preparation for pushing off. I read the rules on the backstroke and IM and did not see anything prohibiting this, but want to make sure before developing a habit. Also, any advice on a better way of making the turn is welcomed.
While it's legal, it's much slower than doing a normal touch and turn.
Patrick: You may think that you are getting a better push but actually you are working harder and getting less as grabbing the wall and collapsing towards it brings your legs much closer to the wall than desired and creates a much less than optimal knee angle at the start of your leg push. You want the inside angle at your knee to be slightly less than 90 degrees as this maximizes the power and speed of the push. An angle smaller than about 70 degrees has more power but is slow and an angle greater than 110 degrees has speed but little power.Yeah, I know you're right. I just want the extra AIR!
I think a spin or cross-over flip like in the Shanteau video is the right and fastest way to go ... but it definitely requires a lot of practice, particularly if you're going to employ it in a 400 IM.
While it's legal, it's much slower than doing a normal touch and turn.
Patrick: You may think that you are getting a better push but actually you are working harder and getting less as grabbing the wall and collapsing towards it brings your legs much closer to the wall than desired and creates a much less than optimal knee angle at the start of your leg push. You want the inside angle at your knee to be slightly less than 90 degrees as this maximizes the power and speed of the push. An angle smaller than about 70 degrees has more power but is slow and an angle greater than 110 degrees has speed but little power.Yeah, I know you're right. I just want the extra AIR!
I think a spin or cross-over flip like in the Shanteau video is the right and fastest way to go ... but it definitely requires a lot of practice, particularly if you're going to employ it in a 400 IM.
