The FAF AFAP Digest

to answer your question about the FINA wedges on the starting blocks from yesterday's blog... Yes, you have enough time. It's pretty simple. I like the wedge as far back as possible b/c it helps with my back and helps me pull back to get the slingshot effect.

In Italy, they had professional photogs taking multiple pics of every heat so you could get a pic of yourself if they happened to get you. It was very cool. Anyway, there was a pic of my heat going off the blocks and everyone's hands are forward except mine. You can see they're by my side.

Originally Posted by Water Rat

to answer your question about the FINA wedges on the starting blocks from yesterday's blog... Yes, you have enough time. It's pretty simple. I like the wedge as far back as possible b/c it helps with my back and helps me pull back to get the slingshot effect.

In Italy, they had professional photogs taking multiple pics of every heat so you could get a pic of yourself if they happened to get you. It was very cool. Anyway, there was a pic of my heat going off the blocks and everyone's hands are forward except mine. You can see they're by my side.

I'd love to learn that start, but am too leery to try it first in a meet. Especially a meet like nationals. I've been having better luck with a neutral start lately. But I've read the wedge may give up up to .5.

Though I'm not known for fast starts, I prefer a slight lean forward on my shorter races. I've only used a starting wedge a couple of times, but I've always needed it all the way back. I guess it'll depend upon how large/long the blocks are. I remember blocks at Indy, I think, decades ago that were like platforms -- super long. I guess we'll get a good sense of the shape of the Trials pool blocks once we watch the pros go off them.

Originally Posted by pwb

Though I'm not known for fast starts, I prefer a slight lean forward on my shorter races. I've only used a starting wedge a couple of times, but I've always needed it all the way back. I guess it'll depend upon how large/long the blocks are. I remember blocks at Indy, I think, decades ago that were like platforms -- super long. I guess we'll get a good sense of the shape of the Trials pool blocks once we watch the pros go off them.

At a foot shorter than you, I'm wondering where the heck I'm supposed to put the wedge!

I've always felt bad for tall guys at meets where the blocks are not long.

I like the neutral start as well, but would like to try the slingshot at some point to see if i can dislocate something.

Originally Posted by Water Rat

In Italy, they had professional photogs taking multiple pics of every heat so you could get a pic of yourself if they happened to get you. It was very cool. Anyway, there was a pic of my heat going off the blocks and everyone's hands are forward except mine. You can see they're by my side.

They had the same thing at the Canadian Nats last month. I'm the same way in my shots...head first arms at my side in the air. I'm so "on edge" leaning forward with track start, that if someone drops something near me I'm false starting. I guess this accounts for my repeated 0.66-0.69 reaction times off the blocks. So much for being a middle-D guy, huh?

Originally Posted by jaadams1

They had the same thing at the Canadian Nats last month. I'm the same way in my shots...head first arms at my side in the air. I'm so "on edge" leaning forward with track start, that if someone drops something near me I'm false starting. I guess this accounts for my repeated 0.66-0.69 reaction times off the blocks. So much for being a middle-D guy, huh?

Well, unlike Water Rat, at least you both train and race like a mid-D guy. If you can get off that blocks that fast, you should be able to get your arms moving fast!

Originally Posted by The Fortress

Well, unlike Water Rat, at least you both train and race like a mid-D guy. If you can get off that blocks that fast, you should be able to get your arms moving fast!

I did post a 27.1 50 and 59.5 100 in LCM. I honestly did have to think about armspeed turnover during the race though...just doesn't feel natural.
Oh, and I tried some fast 50s kick w/ fins today in the pool as well. I'm a sprinter now!!

Honestly, and I hate to admit it, it comes down to lack of strength. I just don't do the weights like I used to back in college days, and I have to admit, they do help a lot.

Originally Posted by jaadams1

Oh, and I tried some fast 50s kick w/ fins today in the pool as well. I'm a sprinter now!!

What is this little tidbit? Can you kick a finless 30? If not, you're getting hammered by an "old lady."

Your turnover would speed up if you did more fast 25s and fast 50s. And, yes, weights help. But you've got young kids and a job. I started masters at 44 and honestly don't think I could have done it any earlier b/c I was too busy. Running was much more time efficient to get some exercise.

Originally Posted by The Fortress

What is this little tidbit? Can you kick a finless 30? If not, you're getting hammered by an "old lady."

Well, I guess I'm going to enjoy getting hammered then! And yes I can kick a finless 30 yards (not seconds). I think a month ago or so when I tried I hit a :36 for a AFAP kick w/ board. I don't really kick that often without a board.

Your turnover would speed up if you did more fast 25s and fast 50s. And, yes, weights help. But you've got young kids and a job. I started masters at 44 and honestly don't think I could have done it any earlier b/c I was too busy. Running was much more time efficient to get some exercise.

I'm just going to do what I can here at home for dryland/strength stuff. I can get it done...just have to get my @ss out of the chair first! And running...NO WAY JOSE!!! My knee would do something really really bad.

James, I'd kill for that reaction time but you can keep the 2fly's.

Originally Posted by Water Rat

I'd kill for that reaction time

But... how?

Originally Posted by Water Rat

James, I'd kill for that reaction time but you can keep the 2fly's.

Ditto.

Originally Posted by That Guy

But... how?

I'm more James Bond - quick clean and no mess. Lol

We have the wedges on our blocks, but we don't use them in master's meets because its too hard for the older swimmers to get up on the blocks with the wedges there.

Originally Posted by Kevinj

We have the wedges on our blocks, but we don't use them in master's meets because its too hard for the older swimmers to get up on the blocks with the wedges there.

I wonder what they did about this issue at Worlds? I hope we get to try them in Omaha.

Originally Posted by The Fortress

I wonder what they did about this issue at Worlds? I hope we get to try them in Omaha.

The challenge with our blocks is that there is only a small step on the side. If there was a larger step at the rear of the blocks it would not be so difficult. Maybe that's what they did at worlds.

The other problem is that they are difficult to adjust. On more than one occasion, the wedge has flown off the back of the blocks because the pins holding it in were not engaged.

Still, I rather use them, then not. Hopefully we figure out a solution before we host nationals next year.

Originally Posted by Kevinj

The challenge with our blocks is that there is only a small step on the side. If there was a larger step at the rear of the blocks it would not be so difficult. Maybe that's what they did at worlds.

The other problem is that they are difficult to adjust. On more than one occasion, the wedge has flown off the back of the blocks because the pins holding it in were not engaged.

Still, I rather use them, then not. Hopefully we figure out a solution before we host nationals next year.

at worlds they weren't that far off the ground and they had a large surface area and not very steep. You couldn't take the wedge off the track. It just slid up and back. No pin involved.

Originally Posted by Water Rat

at worlds they weren't that far off the ground and they had a large surface area and not very steep. You couldn't take the wedge off the track. It just slid up and back. No pin involved.

The pic posted by TG looks like it just slides back and forth. I hope I get a chance Thursday to go off the blocks and figure where the wedge should be. Though I may be able to test it out during the 10:25 am warm up on Friday am.

Originally Posted by The Fortress

The pic posted by TG looks like it just slides back and forth. I hope I get a chance Thursday to go off the blocks and figure where the wedge should be. Though I may be able to test it out during the 10:25 am warm up on Friday am.

Federal Way had the slanted blocks at 2011 PNA Championships. (They weren't there this year though, no idea why) They were pretty easy to slide back and forth. I remember my first two practice starts:

1. that was kinda weird
2. Aw YeAh!!!