🏁 Hidden Ways Races Are Won: Starts, Turns, and Underwaters

May 06, 2025

What separates good swimmers from elite ones isn’t just stroke technique. It’s how they maximize the hidden phases: the start, the turns, and the underwaters.

Let’s break down these game-changing skills

Starts: Set the Tone Early

✅ Why it matters:

  • A faster reaction + clean entry = early lead.

✅ What to focus on:

  • Elite reaction times = ~0.6s

  • Kick immediately after entry to avoid stalling

A great start builds momentum and confidence

Turns: Where Races are Stolen

✅ Why it matters:

  • Your chance to gain ground while everyone else resets

  • A slow wall means giving up body lengths

✅ What to focus on:

  • Tight tuck = faster rotation

  • Explosive push-off = max wall velocity

  • Transition quickly into dolphin kicks

Underwaters: The Fifth Stroke

✅ Why it matters:

  • Underwaters are faster than surface swimming, but only if done right

✅ Keys to master:

  • Tight streamline = less drag

  • Controlled, compact dolphin kicks

  • Max out the 15 marker rule legally and efficiently

Need Personalized Help?

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📹 Get personalized coaching tailored to your swimming style—expert feedback on your technique, starts, and turns, no matter where you train.

➡️ Ready for a custom game plan to swim faster? Check out our virtual coaching packages here:

Virtual Coaching | Swim Trident USA

With 40+ years of coaching, we help swimmers unlock their potential with personalized coaching and cutting-edge training. Our programs are designed for rapid progress, so you can reach your goals faster than ever.

Starts, turns, and underwaters are the sneakiest way to drop time.
You don’t just need to change your stroke to swim faster, you need to master the transitions.

Stay fast,
The Swim Trident USA Team

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