So earlier at practice I experimented with flat feet coming off every wall. There was a very noticeable difference. I could surface with ease past the flags, without any DKs. In my first two years of swimming, I have used just the balls (and toes) of my feet in coming off the walls.
Flat feet (that is, both ball and heel) feels a little awkward right now, like any technique change, but I think I'm going to start adjusting to it for permanent use.
Thanks to Jim Thornton who suggested I make this a poll!
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Former Member
It's very difficult to get your feet flat on the wall but that shouldn't stop swimmers from trying. The soleus (located behind the calf muscle or gastroc) is the primary mover when a swimmer pushes off the wall from the balls of their feet. Getting off the wall the furthest and the fastest is derived from a flat foot and in underwater slow motion video many world class swimmers will collapse from the balls of the feet during the initial contact and onto a flat foot. When you watch closely, you'll notice swimmers using the balls of their feet and those who collapse. It's very difficult to get your feet on the wall but that shouldn't stop any swimmer from doing it the best way. The transition from the collapsing makes swimmers feel like they're jumping off a trampoline (at least it's been described in various videos by world class swimming coach's that way). Good luck, Coach T.
It's very difficult to get your feet flat on the wall but that shouldn't stop swimmers from trying. The soleus (located behind the calf muscle or gastroc) is the primary mover when a swimmer pushes off the wall from the balls of their feet. Getting off the wall the furthest and the fastest is derived from a flat foot and in underwater slow motion video many world class swimmers will collapse from the balls of the feet during the initial contact and onto a flat foot. When you watch closely, you'll notice swimmers using the balls of their feet and those who collapse. It's very difficult to get your feet on the wall but that shouldn't stop any swimmer from doing it the best way. The transition from the collapsing makes swimmers feel like they're jumping off a trampoline (at least it's been described in various videos by world class swimming coach's that way). Good luck, Coach T.
