I tried to find this topic unsuccessfully, forgive me if it has already been discussed. I recently finally started working on my dive starts, literally from a standpoint of never having done them before. I learned a lot watching my kids' coaches and videos, though. I have been diving into about 6 feet of water and find myself ending up about 5 inches from the bottom before dolphin kicking my way forward and up. When I watch videos of starts in the olympics, etc. these guys are diving into 13 feet of water or more, and seem to dive at least 5 feet (see this link of Phelps, around 45 second mark: YouTube - Michael Phelps freestyle multi angle camera ).
In summer league, though, I see the older kids are diving into 5 feet with no problems. Do you guys start different ways depending on the water depth? Are your Masters meets in deep water usually? Am I going too deep when I dive, not so much from a safety standpoint but from a speed aspect? Last question, I remember my son's coach once telling the team to make the under water phase of their relay dives very brief. I couldn't tell if he was making a general statement on starts, or was that specific to relays. Any comments greatly appreciated.
From a track start you should be driving from your legs first...
Take a look at Lochte in the center of the image. The arms and legs drive back then he recovers the hands in the air.
www.gettyimages.com/.../Sports-Illustrated
Even the swimmers with the arms up are almost in complete leg extension and have the rear leg up and off the block.
From a track start you should be driving from your legs first...
Take a look at Lochte in the center of the image. The arms and legs drive back then he recovers the hands in the air.
www.gettyimages.com/.../Sports-Illustrated
Even the swimmers with the arms up are almost in complete leg extension and have the rear leg up and off the block.
