[Rally]

Well, there can be a placebo effect, or a "Dumbo's crow's feather" illusion.  A little like baseball players who pull one of their back pockets out or wear their socks a certain way.  It'll feel like it has an effect (like my new sneakers) until it doesn't.  Then I guess we will need to find some new totem.

Gotta say though, ferrari, I too shaved all extremities, chest and back (even where I really had no hair) for the state meet every year.  I will testify that there is an incredible sensation when one dives in the first time.  I felt slippery in the extreme.  I feel pretty certain, however, that it had no more effect on my performance than did my sneakers.

Oh yes, slippery.  Then there is the ritual of shaving arms and legs, building the anticipation of great things.  The first time a coach told me to shave I didn't know what he was talking about, so asked.  I have always been naive.  A friend of mine took coach literally.  He walked around for a week afterwards with his arms and legs spread wide as hair grew back, bristly, in certain areas. :)

[Rally]

Well, there can be a placebo effect, or a "Dumbo's crow's feather" illusion.  A little like baseball players who pull one of their back pockets out or wear their socks a certain way.  It'll feel like it has an effect (like my new sneakers) until it doesn't.  Then I guess we will need to find some new totem.

Gotta say though, ferrari, I too shaved all extremities, chest and back (even where I really had no hair) for the state meet every year.  I will testify that there is an incredible sensation when one dives in the first time.  I felt slippery in the extreme.  I feel pretty certain, however, that it had no more effect on my performance than did my sneakers.

Oh yes, slippery.  Then there is the ritual of shaving arms and legs, building the anticipation of great things.  The first time a coach told me to shave I didn't know what he was talking about, so asked.  I have always been naive.  A friend of mine took coach literally.  He walked around for a week afterwards with his arms and legs spread wide as hair grew back, bristly, in certain areas. :)