By Zac Clark
See the issue: November 2008

 
Keep it simple, swimmers. That’s how Brian Smith, University of Georgia assistant swim coach, trains his Bulldogs to get off the blocks.

“Too many swimmers worry about trying to jump out of the roof and get way out there,” Smith says. “What we try to do is work on getting in the water quickly. You’re setting yourself up so you can transfer speed into the water.”

Smith lays out some dos and don’ts for positioning yourself on the block and carrying speed into the pool.

Do:
• Get set quickly
• Be ready to react
• Transfer your body weight beyond the block
• Get into the water quickly
• Hold a good line as you enter the water
• Transfer your energy from the jump into the water

Don’t:
• Exert all of your energy on the jump
• Get down in ready position slowly
• Anticipate the start
• Jump as far as you can into the water
• Land the jump

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