Much has changed in breaststroke over the years.
Are you taking advantage of those changes?
The first video is from the 1964 Tokyo Games, while the second is from the 2012 London Games.
Second video won't embed, but link is here. Note: Micah Lawrence is from Pflugerville.
In Tokyo, the guys were swimming the 200 LCM breast in the 2:30's. In London, a gal took the event under 2:20.
While better blocks, lane ropes, gutters, etc. have made a difference, it's rule and technique changes that have been most important in the advances in breaststroke.
Pullout rules now allow us a dolphin kick (since '12 we've learned to take it before the pull).
Elimination of the "head must not go below surface" rule has allowed for tremendous improvement in distance per stroke.
We're now able to extend into the streamlined position after kicking in order to get that efficient speed we're always seeking.
We now know that a "clean" entry is much better than the flat belly-buster.
We take much more advantage of streamlining on starts & turns than in the past.
Check out underwater shots (4:44 in first video) to see how much we've learned about narrowing both the pull and kick!
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