I see some age groupers getting real good results grabbing the gutter and placing feet a bit lower. They come right out and get clean entries just like the bar grabbers. Is this just a developmental thing, or can Masters benefit? I think the added buoyancy by staying low in the water at the start creates a stronger pushoff and slingshot?
I always use the gutter when doing a back start. I was a horrible back starter as a kid so I had to re-learn as an adult and this is how I learned. If I go with the block, I do a back flop. Plus, I like that I can practice if, like today, the pool has taken the blocks out for cleaning. For me the gutter starts are faster because I'm not thinking about the pain of a block start.
I always use the gutter when doing a back start. I was a horrible back starter as a kid so I had to re-learn as an adult and this is how I learned. If I go with the block, I do a back flop. Plus, I like that I can practice if, like today, the pool has taken the blocks out for cleaning. For me the gutter starts are faster because I'm not thinking about the pain of a block start.
