Posts Tagged ‘Swim Push Off’

Although technically not part of freestyle, the push-off from the wall while swimming in a pool is important for all swim strokes. It could be especially beneficial to those of you that race in pool based triathlons/aquathons who can’t tumble turn. Every time you push off the wall , you have an opportunity to improve your streamlined position. A good push off allows you to start each length with a little speed and good body position.

Take a glide off the wall then, then take 6 to 10 kicks (keeping your arms together in a streamlined position) and start stroking. The key is to time it properly. Do not start swimming immediately upon your feet leaving the wall. You should take a glide off the wall and then have a good strong kick before you start to pull. If you start kicking and pulling too soon or too late, you will slow yourself down from the speed that a good streamlined push-off provides.

Is a streamlined push-off in a sense cheating though? Not at all, as there are no walls in open water to push off and if you’re trying to match those who do ‘tumble’ at the end of the pool, you’re going to need all the extra ‘push’ you can get.

It is, in fact, one of the best things you can do to get faster. To become faster you’ll need to feel and know what ‘faster’ is. Due to the propulsion of the legs pushing off the wall and the reduced drag of a streamlined form, it is virtually impossible to swim any faster than the speed of a good push off. Next time you’re in the pool give it a go and notice how much quicker your body feels as it cuts through the dense water.

Don’t think of push-off’s as being a waste of time because of ‘open water’ reasoning. Yes, there are no walls in open water swimming, however if you can’t ‘tumble turn’ and compete in pool based races, a push off will assist in developing a good streamlined body position and should make you swim faster overall.

Happy training!!

If you liked this article, why not subscribe to TrispaceRSS Feed.

Alternatively subscribehere to receive new articles by email.