How to split a 200 free

Interesting stats, Rob. Far more scientific and analytical than the method I have used: First 50 -- Not all-out. Get a feel for the water. Don't fall too far behind. Middle 100 -- Sprint it like a 100 race. Last 50 -- Survive. :)

Joe, Those times look fine, depending on the sprint/distance ability of the swimmer. My only suggestion would be NOT to drop a whole second on the third 50 and maybe hold back a touch on the first 50. I would have him shoot for something like: 27.5 ; 29.9 ; 30.4 ; 30.1 for a 1:57.9 I based these splits on some statistics I pulled from the Georgia USA-S state meet of the top 20 times in the boys 200 free, with times ranging from 1:36 to 1:50. And a couple of interesting observations about the top 5 swimmers – the second 50 was slower than the third 50 for 3 of 5 and the final 50 for each was slower than the third 50 for all 5. Which gets back to something my coaches used to tell me, work the third 50, that’s where races are won or lost.

Thanks, Rob! I really appreciate the stats and the assistance. This coaching thing has somewhat negatively impacted my own pool time, but it sure is gratifying. Joe

My opinion is a well split 200 would be a :58 then a 1:00 for the 100s.

from observing splits at the olympics the really good swimmers tended to go 25.0 27.0 27.0 27.0 then try to hold the next three close it's best to not have much fade when you compare the first hundred to the second hundred it's hard to hold back to split a 200 correctly if your swimmer can go a 54.0 in the 100 he should be at or under 1:58 in the 200 depending if he's a better sprinter or 500 swimmer if he's a better 500 swimmer he could go 1:54 - 1:56 in the 200 with 54.0 speed. I'd throw out the 31 and tell him to be around or under 30 Originally posted by swimpastor If one of the kids I coach wanted to swim a 1:58 200 free, and is in good health and can swim a :54 flat 100 free, what splits should they target for their 4 50's? I know that the 200 is the longest sprint, but how does :27, :30, :31, :30 sound? Thanks for the input. Joe

Since this thread is still active, please allow a father’s indulgence… At the Georgia High School Championships my sons splits in his 200 free were: 23.67 25.28 25.38 25.66 (1:39.99) He is a better at middle distance swimming rather than sprinting, so as Ande mentioned a sprinter may be out a little faster and fade more.

Originally posted by Rob Copeland Since this thread is still active, please allow a father’s indulgence… At the Georgia High School Championships my sons splits in his 200 free were: 23.67 25.28 25.38 25.66 (1:39.99) Awesome swim. Congrats to your son!

I don't keep up on fast high school times but that looks darn fast to me. I can only dream of swimming that fast. Is that Div. 1 scholarship material?

He’s not Auburn, Stanford or Florida fast, but he is being recruited by some of the better Division 1 programs around and they are discussing scholarship potential. YEA!

Originally posted by Rob Copeland Since this thread is still active, please allow a father’s indulgence… At the Georgia High School Championships my sons splits in his 200 free were: 23.67 25.28 25.38 25.66 (1:39.99) He is a better at middle distance swimming rather than sprinting, so as Ande mentioned a sprinter may be out a little faster and fade more. That's a blazing 200! How old is your son? I imagine when he gets some collegiate workouts in him, he will drop even this fast time. Congratulations on a great athlete. On the 200 splits, I was always coached to go out fast on the first 50, pick it up on the second 50, all out on the 3rd 50 and hold on for the last 50. I noticed Guvnah got the same coaching. It looks like your son's splits reflect the same kind of swim. But less than 4/10ths between the 2d and last 50 is not holding on in the final 50 as much as just plain old smokin' the whole thing.