I agree on the BS meter.

While a world class sprinter will likely "easily" do sub 20 from a dive in practice, I contend that there are likely less than 10, maybe 15 people in the world that can do so, when you start talking doing multiples of them - it falls off fast.

http://www.hawkeyesports.com/...-swim/150326F004.htm

That is a link to last years NCAA D1 50 free. Of those entered, I would say only about 4 of them would likely be capable of doing a sub-20 from a dive off the blocks in practice.


FWIW -

In college on standup sets for 50s, where we would get 5 to 8 minutes rest, I was typically a full second slower than normal meet times, and ~1.5 seconds slower than a shaved taper time.

I agree on the BS meter.

While a world class sprinter will likely "easily" do sub 20 from a dive in practice, I contend that there are likely less than 10, maybe 15 people in the world that can do so, when you start talking doing multiples of them - it falls off fast.

http://www.hawkeyesports.com/...-swim/150326F004.htm

That is a link to last years NCAA D1 50 free. Of those entered, I would say only about 4 of them would likely be capable of doing a sub-20 from a dive off the blocks in practice.


FWIW -

In college on standup sets for 50s, where we would get 5 to 8 minutes rest, I was typically a full second slower than normal meet times, and ~1.5 seconds slower than a shaved taper time.

On the other hand, there are significantly more guys who could go a 22 and lots of guys who could go a 23 off the blocks in practice and a 2 to 3 second error trying to time off a pace clock while causally watching someone doing 50's would not be unusual if you are not actually starting them on your signal and your're not an expert in timing swim repeats which the original poster does not seem to be.

So, BS on sub 20 but I'll take the guy's word that he was watching a fast skilled swimmer with a great start and turn which I think was the only point he was trying to make ;-)

Some of the advantages that come from streamlining to a non-competitive swimmer:

1. Success in streamlining primarily involves consistent good body position and getting into that position quickly and in a disciplined fashion. Good position is easily accomplished by even the most untalented swimmer if a consistent discipline is applied (Great position can take some work but is pretty easily achieved if you have decent shoulder flexibility and can have the discipline to try on every turn).

So a good (or at least a better) streamline is probably the easiest achieved "ah ha" moment in swimming. Improving your stream line will carry over to improving other parts of your swimming (i.e. stroke mechanics) if not physically at least psychologically. You will have success that immediately pays of and have something to work on that you can actually get better at fairly quickly.

2. The single biggest benefit is that if you can do decent turns and streamline well off of them, you are more likely to be able to keep up with faster swimmers. This in turn will lead to better workouts for you. It's akin to mastering group riding skills sufficiently to finally get into a good group ride. That will make you a stronger rider as you get beat up by a better class of cyclist. Same thing can happen if you improve your turns.

3. If you are rolling solo, you can get just as good a bike workout in on a $200 40 pound mountain bike as you can on a $6000 dialed in bike with Zipp wheels. Same with doing laps with crappy turns, its all swimming right? But, which bike is more fun to ride? Same thing with good turns in the pool. It just feels better. Feels better = more and better workouts because suddenly, swimming is kind of fun!

4. Working on your streamline is a no cost activity. You do not have to give up training time to do drills. You are turning around anyway so just concentrate during every turn. You are doing them anyway so why not make them productive?