"In reading through Craig Lord’s article (Hoelzer: Size & Strength Matter on Blocks), quite a few excellent points were made regarding the regulation of starting blocks in swimming!

Now, a lot of times we focus on the swimmer’s perspective of using blocks and how different blocks, different walls, or anything different can alter how a swimmer goes about their race. However, I’d like to take a minute and look at a coach’s perspective on the matter because I think that is almost as important if not just as pertinent to the argument that Craig Lord is making in his article....."

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Yes! There should definitely be regulation.

Our brand new pool has nice, long blocks (great for relay starts) that are covered in basically sandpaper. Now when I go to an older pool with small, slippery blocks I nearly fall off. It sucks.

There should be some kind of standard block. I don't care about the lane lines and lighting, but definitely the blocks.

Meh, it's part of racing. True athletes can adapt to these changes. Home pool advantage. At any meets of significance, the blocks are of good quality. At insignificant dual meets, let it be. Part of what I love about swimming at different pools is adapting to the different blocks.

Compare it to baseball parks. Not all baseball stadiums are the same.

(Jan 19, 2010 12:21am)SwimCoachTools Wrote:  Meh, it's part of racing. True athletes can adapt to these changes. Home pool advantage. At any meets of significance, the blocks are of good quality. At insignificant dual meets, let it be. Part of what I love about swimming at different pools is adapting to the different blocks.

Compare it to baseball parks. Not all baseball stadiums are the same.

True that not all basketball stadiums are the same, but aren't they regulated heights for the hoops, regulated width for the backboards, etc??