{"id":68020,"date":"2021-09-27T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-26T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.arenaswim.com\/uncategorized\/perform-proper-start-turn\/"},"modified":"2021-09-29T15:42:08","modified_gmt":"2021-09-29T13:42:08","slug":"perform-proper-start-turn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.arenaswim.com\/en\/training-technique\/perform-proper-start-turn\/","title":{"rendered":"Starting Block Drills and Pointers for Faster Turns"},"content":{"rendered":"

Along with a proper warm-up routine and a good training program, the start and turn are vital for any swimmer, whatever their standard. That is why we have decided to give you a few tips to improve both your start and freestyle turn.<\/span><\/p>\n

Whether you are a sprinter or a long-distance swimmer, good starts and turns will help you quickly reach your top speed. Today, we will go over the advantages of using the track start over the grab start. After that, we will provide some starting block drills for you to practice. Then, we will explore turning techniques and give you a few tips you can implement in your training.<\/span><\/p>\n

Initial Speed Is Generated From Good Starts and Turns<\/b><\/h2>\n

Similar to track athletes on the starting line, swimmers need a good block start to begin an event. After that, they use turns to push off the wall and begin the next lap. Both the start and turn are areas where you can utilize your legs to generate tremendous amounts of force, allowing you to quickly reach maximum velocity in the water.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is important to get up to speed quickly before you begin <\/span>the underwater phase of your lap<\/span><\/a>. According to <\/span>an article published in FINA<\/span><\/a>, this is the fastest part of a lap because swimmers reduce drag when streamlining and utilize strong body muscles in their underwater kick.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, all that speed isn’t generated from your streamline and dolphin kick alone. You gain most of your initial speed from pushing off the block or the wall. Good force application from your legs is key to developing a strong start and turn, and it will give that boost of speed you need at the beginning of each lap.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Grab Start vs. The Track Start<\/b><\/h2>\n

\"Starting<\/p>\n

There are two types of starts in swimming: the grab start and the track start. For the grab start, you place both your feet on the edge of the starting block about shoulder-width apart. For the track start, on the other hand, one foot is placed at the front of the starting block and the other behind it on a small pad ready to push off.<\/span><\/p>\n

A <\/span>study published in the International Journal of Exercise Science<\/span><\/a> finds that the track start has an edge over the grab start. The track start allows for improved balance in the start position, faster reaction time to the start signal, and a more powerful drive phase off the block.<\/span><\/p>\n

Balance is where a good start begins. If you are off-balance when the start signal goes off, you will have poor reaction time and less power as you push off the block. You can achieve proper balance by focusing on correct body position while you train. In the track start, you have a front foot and back foot to shift your weight between to find a comfortable balance point for your starting position.<\/span><\/p>\n

Your reaction time will be better with the track start. The body position of the track start allows for your initial movement to begin off your back leg. In the grab start, on the other hand, your first move is generated using your arms. The track start is preferable because your legs are much stronger than your arms so you can exert force more efficiently off the block, resulting in a better reaction time.<\/span><\/p>\n

You will have more power from the track start because your legs begin the drive phase and have more time to exert large amounts of force onto the block. Plus, you can achieve a higher hip position in the track start, allowing you to enter the water at an optimal angle.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tips for a Good Track Start<\/b><\/h2>\n

Here is what you should focus on to carry out a good start:<\/span><\/p>\n