28 usms.org CHOOSING YOUR START Competitive backstrokers predominantly use two types of starts: the curled-back start, which is fairly traditional, and the flat-back start, which has been developed and used more widely in the past decade or so. Which one is right for you? curled Curled-Back Start This is just as it sounds: a start with your back curled. The ad- vantage is that it provides explosive power and momentum. The disadvantage is that it’s tough to hold a start position for very long, and the sequencing is tricky. To do it well with the wedge, keep the following in mind. • Set the wedge closer to the top of the water. • Your feet should be about shoulder-width apart for stability. • In the set position, you should keep your hips away from the wall with your back curling toward the block. • On the take-your-mark command, pull yourself up, being sure not to sit on your ankles. Instead, have your knees bent at about 90 degrees. • On the start, it’s critical to get your head and shoulders moving down the pool before you explode off the wall with your leg and hip drive.