Courtesy of Gary Hall Sr., 10-time World Record Holder, 3-time Olympian, 1976 Olympic Games US Flagbearer and The Race Club co-founder.
Gary Hall, Sr., Technical Director and Head Coach of The Race Club (courtesy of TRC)
Getting off to a good start can make or break a race but many of us don’t have advice on how to setup and execute great swimming starts. In this swim technique video series on various swimming start techniques we will guide you through the essentials that we believe will lead to not only faster but also safer swimming starts and much faster results in the pool. With the limited amount of swimming starting blocks that have the back foot plate and side grips, many of us use these for the first time at a competition. We hope this video will get you thinking about the change in swimming start technique that you might expect when transitioning to these new blocks and how you can use these features as an advantage.
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THE RACE CLUB
Because Life is Worth Swimming, our mission is to promote swimming through sport, lifelong enjoyment, and good health benefits. Our objective is for each member of and each participant in The Race Club to improve his or her swimming performances, health, and self-esteem through our educational programs, services and creativity. We strive to help each member of The Race Club overcome challenges and reach his or her individual life goals.
The Race Club provides facilities, coaching, training, technical instruction, video, fitness and health programs for swimmers of all ages and abilities. Race Club swim camps are designed and tailored to satisfy each swimmer’s needs, whether one is trying to reach the Olympic Games or simply improve one’s fitness. Our programs are suitable for beginner swimmers, pleasure swimmers, fitness swimmers, USA swimming or YMCA swimmers, or triathletes; anyone who wants to improve swimming skills. All of our Race Club members share an enjoyment of being in the water and use swimming to stimulate a more active mind and body.
Good segment as usual. Three things to consider. The first is foot placement. I feel I want my athletes to have their dominant leg up front. What does that mean? The example I use is if you kick a ball with your right foot, your dominant foot is your plant leg, not your kicking leg. My diving coach taught me this some time ago. If you watch divers, they intimate their hurdle off their dominate leg. At first this may be somewhat uncomfortable for most, but they will adapt quickly. And I believe it helps.
My personal feelings is I am not a fan of the bars outside the block unless the athlete is really tall. It is preferable to… Read more »
Gary did you start competitive swimming at Sammy Lee’s Swimming and Diving School? I coached there around the late 50’s. You swam a Demo 200 meter IM during a break in a Sr. Meet. You were only 6 years old. Do you remember me? I later coached Steve
Lundquist to 2 Gold Medals in the ’84 Olympics.