Breaststroke Starts and Turns

In a recent 50 meter breaststroke swim, the guy next to me came out of the dive and pullout about 3/4 to one full body length ahead of me (I am in the red trunks in the 'bottom' lane, he is one lane above me in the video). I caught him at the wall, but on the turn, he regained his big lead. Again, I almost caught him, but he touched me out by about .48. I am not that concerned with getting beat (nor any disresepct to this fellow swimmer), but would just like to know what I am doing wrong on the start and turn (the former I get almost no practice on). I definitely did the one dolphin kick in both directions. FYI...he did happen to be about 6 inches taller than me...I am 5-9, he appeared to be about 6-2 or 6-3; however, I am doubting that that is the whole story. Here is a link to the video. https://youtu.be/P6Js3VpPr_0 Again, I am in the red suit near the bottom of the screen. Any other observations, not just about the dive and turn, but anything else, is welcome.
Parents
  • Your disadvantage seems to be the start itself - you don't have a whole lot of power right off of the blocks, and if you don't enter the water with velocity, you don't have any velocity to maintain with the pullout. I would encourage you to try setting up for your start from the top down instead of from a crouch. That should allow you to develop more tension in your legs which is where the power comes from.
Reply
  • Your disadvantage seems to be the start itself - you don't have a whole lot of power right off of the blocks, and if you don't enter the water with velocity, you don't have any velocity to maintain with the pullout. I would encourage you to try setting up for your start from the top down instead of from a crouch. That should allow you to develop more tension in your legs which is where the power comes from.
Children
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