Recently this question has been burning in my mind. This past season, Iโve spent a lot of time working with 8 and unders. My goal has to been to try and perfect my ability to teach effectively and talk concisely. Most recently, I have been teaching the proper mechanics for an effective Backstroke Start when this question popped up into my head. Letโs dive deeper into the appropriate age that swimmers should start (or be introduced) to the Backstroke Bar for their Backstroke Swimming Start!
Letโs get started!
To answer this question, I had to get a few measurements. One – I needed the height of our current blocks in relation to the water line. They are 28.5 inches from the water line to the blockโs surface. This falls completely in line with the rules of stating that the block must be anywhere from 20-30 inches above the water line.
On top of that, I needed the height of our Backstroke Bar. This standard was actually a lot harder to find, and it appears somewhere between 10-24 inches this bar can appear above the surface of the water for Backstroke Swimming Starts. Our pool has our bar 15 inches above the water line. We have the blocks that are include handles on the side (see below), and these handles are only 9.5 inches from the water line – if used as well.
Why Does This Matter for my Backstroke Swimming Start?
As I was coaching my 8 and under, it dawned on me with the positioning of the body being in a seat – the one variable that needs to be taken into consideration for Backstroke Starts is arm length. You donโt ever want a swimmer to be shifting their weight too far forward when they are taking their mark for a Backstroke swimming Start. Ideally, you want their weight comfortably over their hips when they pull up, or even a little behind. See below:
The reason for this is the first movement a swimmer does in a Backstroke Start is throwing the arms and push with the legs backwards. It doesnโt make sense to pull forwards to then go the opposite way.
The introduction of the Backstroke Wedges has made it easier for many swimmers to maximize the push from their legs on the start. It’s really not as easy as it seems. To learn more about the Backstroke Wedge and how to properly use one, click here. Also, if you’re interested in getting some guidance on how to better your own personal Backstroke Start, check out our available video analysis packages to help get you entering with a higher speed – in a beautiful rainbow position!
What Does this have to do with Age Groupers?
When you take into consideration arm-length and age, you will see a correlation. I measured 42 swimmers throughout of our age group program at Triton Swimming to see if there was a correlation in arm length related to age. This is what I found out:
Ages 6-8: Average Arm Length was 19 inches
Ages 9-11: Average Arm Length was 23 inches
Ages 11-14: Average Arm Length was 26 inches
What Does this Mean?
Just as presumed, as a swimmer ages there is a direct relationship with their arm length. When you look at these numbers in correlation to our start setup, you will find that there is a specific arm introducing the Backstroke Bar is the MOST beneficial and that is around the age of 9 years old.
Why?
When a swimmer pulls up on the block to take their mark, most swimmers bend their arms to a 90-degree angle. So for simplistic purposes, Iโm going to half all those arm-length numbers above because when you bend your arm to 90-degrees, you are essentially cutting the length in half.
Ages 6-8: Arm Length at 90-Degrees is 9.5 inches
Ages 9-11: Arm Length at 90-Degrees is 11.5 inches
Ages 11-14: Arm Length at 90-Degrees is 13 inches
If we look at these numbers in correlation to the height of the Backstroke Bar and its’ handles. We have a range of 9-15 inches to play with on our blocks. You do have the width of a swimmers palm to take into consideration too, so even though the lowest age category can physically touch the handles of our Backstroke Bar with their current arm length at 90-Degrees – they would not be able to GRIP the Backstroke Handle, as that would require a few more inches due to their palm width. Letโs say their average palm width is 2 inches, so reality is you need a minimum of 11.5 inches of arm length on our blocks to start using the Backstroke Handles. This puts the ideal starting age for introduction to the Backstroke Handles at around 9 years old.
To progress from the Backstroke handles to the Backstroke Bar, if thatโs an option for you – our swimmers must have a minimum 13 inches of Arm Length at 90-Degrees. Or 15 inches total with the addition palm length. This puts our swimmers at the age of around 11 years old to start introducing the Backstroke Bar to them.
The Irony of these Findings & Backstroke Swimming Starts?
Most coaches start using the Backstroke Bars way too early, and loose the ability to teach their swimmers the proper mechanics of the start.
If youโve ever coached younger kids, you will notice that most of them pull up and hunch over like an owl while taking their mark. This does exactly what we donโt want: pulls them forward, before going backwards.
While I know itโs hard to explain to younger swimmers that just because Susie Q does an amazing Backstroke Start using a bar and sheโs 14 years old – doesnโt mean you need to mimic her and try to do one too. Start with the basics and then build from there. I promise it will pay back dividends for you in the end!
Until Next Time,
Abbie Fish
6 Responses
Vindication! We don’t allow our swimmers to use the handles until they are at least 13! They hate me for it. But even some of our 15+ do not use them. Thanks for the breakdown
You’re very welcome!
oh wow, i started using them at 9
Oh yeah? Remember the rationale on why?
You just gave me backup. Iโve put a rule in my age group that they canโt use bars because one I donโt believe that age has upper body strength to hold and when they are not able to execute from wall level with proper technique they are not going to be successful. They donโt get it because all the other swimmers on other teams do. This helps me bring some backup Iโm not the only coach. Thank you!
You’re so welcome!!! Thanks so much for this comment and let me know how it goes too!!