The Finer Points of a Good Swimming Start

[StrokesTheCure]

2 people don't know how to swim

[AL3Indians]

I don't know how I feel about this...kind of opposite of what I've been taught in the past, but I know swimming is an ever changing sport. Do we have any statistics or more reasoning on why we're going to a leaning back, staying low start?

[NZJacobNZ]

@AL3Indians I was first taught to lean forwards. But now its the opposite. When you think about it though, leaning back IS better because you get that extra distance to accelerate before leaving the blocks meaning you go further before hitting the resistance of the water, and carrying more speed into the water.

[EREBOSSAINTS]

@NZJacobNZ but then again u get more energy entering the water but in doing so make ur start slower because you have to travel more than leaning forward. i prefer to lean forward because of my good leg strength i dont need extra distance because i already get great energy from my start. just because it works for her doesnt mean it will work for everyone, and especially in a 50 free a slower start is not better than a faster one

[littlecoach]

good job Russel, you make us better coaches