What's Better

[Gold Swimmer]

Just Wondering what start is quicker and better track start or grab start

[Gina]

I'm trying this one out at the moment. I've always used the grab start, but have very recently started doing track starts in training. I never used to feel safe using the track start, but I am finding I am actually moving faster after the start. I used to get left kinda 'flat footed' at the start.

[Top10ranking]

i use track at the moment, depends on person i guess

[Kaci]

I start with my feet in a track start position but all my weight forward like in a grab start. I tried every way and discovered that was the best. Not only has my reaction time increased but my dive has also improved.

[Bogbloke]

havent we had this conversation before?? lol :p

[DAK]

I start with my feet in a track start position but all my weight forward like in a grab start. I tried every way and discovered that was the best. Not only has my reaction time increased but my dive has also improved.

I tried this for a while but was less comfortable. What I would say was each to their own, experiment a bit and start which ever way you feel comfortable and fast.

[Chris]

havent we had this conversation before?? lol :p

http://www.swimclub.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=3247&highlight=track+start

[Dreama]

think about the strength or push from two feet as opposed to one foot, and decide which one gives you the best push. I know which one gives me the most push and it should be obvious to most people, however, if you can perfect either technique then its what feels best for you

[lozswimmer]

I use Grab, but my dives are very bad so i am experimenting a bit when i get the chance.

[Conrad Cawley]

Why not try the new One handed grab start (Gee-Ess-1) that Japanese swimmers are using. They reckon by the time the 2008 Olympics take place everyone will be using it. I have to say that my swimmers have found it very effective and quick to master gaining more distance off the block. I cannot even attempt to describe it here but if you go to page 30 of the Februray issue of UK swimming magazine you will find a full description with pictures. Never be afraid to try something new! Good luck and fast swimming.

[KJ89]

i do grab starts most of the time but i think it also depends on how flexible you are because some swimmers at my club are very unflexible and have to do track starts because they cant reach there feet with a grab start

[Bazza]

Do you know I saw a master swimmer do that once a couple of years ago and it is the only time I have seen it, but much to my surprise the guy got a great start.

Maybe you could explain how it is possible to get a better start using one hand than two?

[Swim Star]

I use the Track start it's way better... gets u faster off the blocks and u feel more professional!!!!!

[Gold Swimmer]

One handed grab start .
can u tell me what that the start is

[Pete]

I really don't think one start is quicker than another in general. Swimmers will find that they are best suited to one technique. It is important to try both methods. If you are proficient at both get your coach to time you over 8 metres and see which technique is faster for you as an individual.

[londoner62]

With a bit of luck maybe we'll view one or two using this start at the Trials (or on the telly, Sunday afternoon) to get a better 'grasp' of the start!

[Bazza]

Not sure about that but I think I might experiment with this in training over the next couple of weeks if we get the blocks out.

[FlyingBean]

Not sure about that but I think I might experiment with this in training over the next couple of weeks if we get the blocks out.
It's certainly worth a try isn't it. I'll make sure I try it in a quiet session though as I have visions of it going horribly wrong at first.

Spidey - maybe we'll get some demos at the Surreys, that is if people get their forms in on time! :devil:

[Gold Swimmer]

im going to try that start in my sessions at the moment if it dosnt work than i will stick to my grab start

[patlamb]

Managed to fit time into my mega high volume house of pain ;) for these dives this morning... man was that fun.

The swimmers both young and old were buzzing. Real good and real fast... as well as real funny when it all went "tgtp tp" (no predictive text). A rare treat.

Expect to see some odd dives coming your way soon.

[KatieBun]

It's certainly worth a try isn't it. I'll make sure I try it in a quiet session though as I have visions of it going horribly wrong at first.

Spidey - maybe we'll get some demos at the Surreys, that is if people get their forms in on time! :devil:
FB, whatever you do, don't let GF try it. She was lethal enough on Sunday. Add an arm swing from the back of the block and we'll all be taking cover. :aarrgghh:

[GettingFaster]

:p

[DAK]

Managed to fit time into my mega high volume house of pain ;) for these dives this morning... man was that fun.

The swimmers both young and old were buzzing. Real good and real fast... as well as real funny when it all went "tgtp tp" (no predictive text). A rare treat.

Expect to see some odd dives coming your way soon.

Managed to fit some of these new starts into my low volume training last night. Seemed to be quite good but some work to be done, very funny when it went wrong a couple of times. Although I did tell the people in my lane they would see it in the next Olympics and to remember where they saw it first!! :devil:

[patlamb]

Managed to get one of the swimmers doing the dive in competition this weekend in sheffield premier meet... he did it in all his events and had great success.

Had a few people trying it in warm ups and one of 'stards lads managed to attempt it also (nowhere near as good though :p )

Anyone see it??

[rogant stard]

Managed to get one of the swimmers doing the dive in competition this weekend in sheffield premier meet... he did it in all his events and had great success.

Had a few people trying it in warm ups and one of 'stards lads managed to attempt it also (nowhere near as good though :p )

Anyone see it??

Aye, the big guy unexpectedly gave it a go in the 50 heats after only trying it for the first time on Monday morning. Knocked .5 off when discarding it for the final...
Think it will catch on and, indeed, caused a bit of a stir among the less 'up to date' spectators and cries of 'ooh, Japanese start...' from those familiar with it but too scared to try it.
But yes Lambie, your guy did it better :)

[Bazza]

In the end I didn't have the balls to experiment with it the day before a competition as I was more worried about my lack of training, but I now have at least 5 months to the next time I race so plenty of time to perfect it! :p