Training Video: A Purposeful Push-Off
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The push-off happens at the start of a length of swimming in a pool. It begins with both feet planted firmly on the pool wall and entails extending the legs dynamically to propel the body forward through the water.
Many triathletes who come into the sport with no formal swim background might feel as if pushing off the pool wall is somehow cheating. The attitude seems to be, “Well, I won’t be able to push-off in the open water segment of my upcoming triathlon so why should I do it now?” The truth is that each push-off sets the tone for the swim that follows.
View a video demonstration below: