Chapter 004 This technology is something I have studied since childhood
After Du Ke heard Jiang Zhigang's new instructions, he walked up to the diving platform of Lane 2, raised his right arm for two seconds facing Jiang Zhigang, signaling that he was ready. He then bent his body and flexed his knees, assuming the preparatory posture for the jump.
Regarding the competition question, Jiang Zhigang remained noncommittal and then asked: "I heard that you have received professional training in the past. At your best condition, what is the longest distance you can swim? Please estimate according to formal competition standards."
Du Ke stood alone behind the diving platform of lane 2, and he did not understand what Jiang Zhigang meant by asking him to stay put alone, nor what command he was waiting for
Short-distance races require explosive sprinting, while middle-distance races necessitate good endurance. Considering all factors, Du Ke decided to participate in the 400-meter freestyle.
Du Ke nodded and said, "What Director Jiang said is true: survival of the fittest, the strong shall prevail. This is not only a principle of sports competition but also a principle that applies to all fields of humanity."
Uh... the female team member was so intimidated by Jiang Zhigang's reprimand that she dared not speak
Yes, but if it meets the competition level of the Provincial Games, then I estimate that I can only swim freestyle and backstroke, as my training in breaststroke and butterfly is average
At this moment, Jiang Zhigang pointed at Du Ke and began to reprimand Liu Chenxiao and Wang Qiuyue, saying, "Look at Du Ke's turn; that is a proper freestyle turn. You two have been practicing for so long and still can't even execute a somersault turn. Isn't that embarrassing?"
At the sound of the departure whistle, Du Ke soared into the air, plunged into the water, and swam forward, cutting through the waves.
Only Du Ke and Jiang Zhigang remained on the shore
Oh, then it will be 400 meters. In the next few days, Su Yun will help you register. Jiang Zhi has just agreed, "From now on, you are a member of our school's men's swimming and diving team. Today is April 10, and there are still about twenty days until the Provincial University Games opens. From now on, you will train with them." After saying this, he pointed to the team members who were training in the pool.
Du Ke thought for a moment and said, "I am confident in my average speed and endurance, but my explosive power is average. Therefore, I chose to register for the longest distance, the 400-meter freestyle."
In the midst of conversation, Du Ke has already completed the first 50-meter turn
Su Yun felt somewhat embarrassed yet also a bit proud. The embarrassment stemmed from the fact that, as the captain of the women's team, her aerial skills were only barely up to standard in the eyes of the coach. The pride came from the fact that Du Ke was the one she had recommended. As for Team Leader Zhou, he was the captain of the men's team, but he had been out of contact for several months, reportedly shut away writing an online cultivation novel.
Jiang Zhigang waved his hand, dismissing Du Ke's sweet talk, "Our school's swimming team has never been glorious, so what is there to talk about in terms of revival? I have always only focused on results; if you have the ability, you can be selected, and if you don't, you will be eliminated. It's that simple. This is the survival rule of all sports competitions, simple yet brutal." After saying this, he seemed to let out a light sigh, as if recalling some past events. This is the survival rule of all sports competitions, simple yet brutal. After saying this, he seemed to let out a light sigh, as if recalling some past events.
"You really are a genius, pondering over technology from decades ago since you were young?" Jiang Zhigang laughed and scolded. Although Du Ke's explanation had some flaws, it was still somewhat self-consistent, and Jiang Zhigang did not delve deeper. As he mentioned earlier, he only cares about the results, focusing on outcomes without questioning the process or investigating the history. Moreover, there have indeed been many prodigies in the swimming world, with some winning world championships and Olympic titles at just over ten years old.
Jiang Zhi asked on www.hetushu.com: "Besides freestyle, what other swimming strokes can you do?"
In fact, Du Ke is also experimenting. The cooldown time for the special skill "8 Kicks" is 1 hour. He wants to see if it is possible to use "8 Kicks" 8 times in a single round of water cycling without relying on the special skill. The result of the experiment is: No.
Du Ke has been trained since childhood to perform 6 leg kicks within 200 meters and 4 leg kicks for distances over 400 meters. He has never practiced 8 leg kicks. This is a matter of habit; for instance, if a person has been walking for decades with a rhythm of left-right-left, suddenly asking them to change their rhythm to left-left-right would certainly be difficult to adjust to in a short period of time
Du Ke has been treated as a textbook example by Jiang Zhigang for demonstration purposes
Jiang Zhigang said with a playful smile, "Are you so sure that I will let you compete?"
Jiang Zhigang said to Liu Chenxiao and Wang Qiuyue beside him: "Pay attention to Du Ke's aerial movements later, especially the positioning of his arms."
After swimming nearly 200 meters, Du Ke was pleasantly surprised to find that his speed had increased. He had just received a reward of +1 to all attributes and allocated all 5 points to his speed attribute. He could feel that his average swimming speed had improved. This sensation was akin to driving; having become accustomed to a 1.6L engine car, he now switched to a new 2.0L car, and the depth of the accelerator pedal made it clear that the driving force of the 2.0L car was significantly stronger than that of the 1.6L.
Two male team members and fifteen female team members are closely united around Jiang Zhigang, all standing on the left bank of the pool
Subsequent practical experience has demonstrated that the primary propulsion in freestyle swimming relies on arm strokes. Consequently, the swimmers began to reduce the frequency of leg kicks, as rapid and high-frequency kicking is quite exhausting. After my research, I concluded that an 8-kick pattern is certainly not suitable for the entire distance, but using 8 kicks over a short period can enhance speed. Therefore, during my childhood, I would experiment on my own and practice the 8-kick technique whenever I had the chance. Indeed, the 8-kick pattern is very taxing on energy; after using it once, I would need to rest for an hour or so before attempting it again.
Du Ke, drawing from his background as an athlete in a family of athletes and the historical evolution of freestyle swimming, provided an explanation for his unique skill of performing 8 kicks. It cannot simply be attributed to the system.
Jiang Zhigang provided guidance to the team members: "Du Ke's takeoff and aerial movement is very standard; his arms are straight and close to his ears. The straighter and closer the arms are to the ears during the jump, the more arrowhead shape the palms will form, resulting in less resistance upon entering the water and a smoother entry. I have taught you this many times, yet none of you have been able to meet the standard requirements. Su Yun and Zhou Feng can be considered barely meeting the standards, but neither of them is as standard as Du Ke." I have taught you this many times, yet none of you have been able to meet the standard requirements. Su Yun and Zhou Feng can be considered barely meeting the standards, but neither of them is as standard as Du Ke.
Team Su and Team Zhou are professionals, and Du Ke has reportedly received professional training since childhood. A female team member expressed her disagreement.
Oh, oh. Liu Chenxiao and Wang Qiuyue nodded in agreement
The participation issue for the Provincial University Games has been resolved, and Du Ke has become an official member of the men's swimming team at Nankang University. The men's swimming team has finally gathered the minimum required number of three participants for registration
At this moment, Jiang Zhi had just shouted to Du Ke: "Du Ke, continue in the second lane, 200 meters freestyle"
Du Ke let out a sigh and expressed his gratitude to Jiang Zhigang: "Thank you, Director Jiang. I will certainly not fail in my mission! I believe that under the leadership of Director Jiang, who is both wise and talented, our school's swimming team will surely regain its former glory and embark on the great path of rejuvenation"
Jiang Zhigang then said: "Just now you swam 100 meters, and during the final sprint phase, you used eight kicks. Was this high-frequency kicking a sudden inspiration of yours, or have you practiced it specifically? When swimming 200 meters, why did you not use eight kicks?"
Although Jiang Zhigang was educating the male and female team members, his gaze remained fixed on Du Ke in the swimming pool. At this moment, Du Ke had already completed his third turn and began swimming the final 50 meters. Jiang Zhigang furrowed his brows, deep in thought, as he continued to observe Du Ke's kicking frequency.
Du Ke explained: "My father was a swimmer, and he collected a lot of precious footage from the swimming world. I have seen this material, and before the 1960s, many top swimmers placed great importance on kicking. The mainstream kicking rhythm at that time was more than 6 times, with 8 kicks being quite common, and even 10 kicks were present.
"Yes, we will definitely study hard and strengthen our training." Liu and Wang both have a very good attitude, never arguing back when scolded; what the coach says is always correct
"Aren't you receiving professional training now?" Jiang Zhigang glared at the female team members, "If you continue to regard yourselves as amateur enthusiasts, your skills will never improve."
Jiang Zhigang: "The provincial university games feature four distances in the freestyle swimming events: 50 meters, 100 meters, 200 meters, and 400 meters. There is no 1500 meters event, as the province cannot gather 8 university students to register for the 1500 meters event. The 800 meters freestyle is only included in the World Championships; there is no men's 800 meters event even in the Olympics. Therefore, domestic competitions generally do not have a men's 800 meters freestyle event either. For the 50 meters, 100 meters, 200 meters, and 400 meters freestyle, which one would you like to register for?"
Jiang Zhigang stated: "The provincial university games will be held in our city at the beginning of next month. The swimming competitions will only include freestyle and breaststroke events, and an individual can only participate in one event. If you sign up for freestyle, you cannot compete in breaststroke, and if you participate in the 100 meters, you cannot swim the 200 meters. Since your breaststroke is average, you should sign up for the freestyle competition."
Du Ke: "According to the competition standards, the maximum distance that can be swum is 400 meters"
After Du Ke came ashore, Jiang Zhigang waved for him to come over and instructed all the other team members to enter the pool and begin training
His choice is based on evidence. Among the eight attributes, his speed and endurance are the highest, both at 13. In terms of individual attributes, speed and endurance have reached a semi-professional level. However, his explosiveness is only 6
At this point, Du Ke had already touched the wall, completing 200 meters of freestyle swimming. Jiang Zhi glanced at the timer, which read 2 minutes 35 seconds 22, a result that falls between that of a third-level athlete and a second-level athlete
Jiang Zhigang raised his left arm, and Ming prepared to signal with a long whistle. Two seconds later, Ming issued the command with a short whistle
Du Ke swam 150 meters with a very steady rhythm, consistently maintaining a 1-2-6 stroke and kick pattern, without employing the eight kicks again
Du Ke: "Alright"
Then he said to the female team members: "You may also observe."
Du Ke chuckled, "Director Jiang, please give me a chance. I will do my utmost to bring glory to our school." He still had to appease Jiang Zhigang and could not afford to provoke this leader any further. Jiang Zhigang could allow him to participate in the provincial sports games; those who recognize the situation are the true talents.