Do you mean splits as in.. keeping track of lap times during a set or race?
or...
Splits as in.. she/he is so flexible she can do the splits?
If it's the former I don't have enough experience to say, sorry,
if it's the latter, I don't think so.
;)
J.
I believe if you want to swim
the fastest times you are capable of swimming
splitting is ESSENTIAL.
Even for a 50
Especially in 100's, 200's, and up
Splitting is all about controlling the amount of effort you exert,
how hard you pull and kick
how much you breathe
how many underwater dolphin kicks you take.
If you push too hard too soon
YOU WON'T swim as FAST as you would have if you split it right.
for (distance) you want the first and 2nd half of your race to be between ____ seconds
050's 0.25 - 1.00
100's 1.00 - 2.50
200's 0.00 - 4.00
(IM's are different depending on what strokes you're best at)
If you swim too hard at the beginning of your race
you won't split your race correctly.
Going out too hard and dying is painful, foolish, and unnecessary.
Correct splitting is all about finding your easy speed gear.
Part of it comes from conditioning,
Part of it comes from being psyched and mentally tough,
Part of it comes from making that right choice in your race,
Part of it comes from correctly doing the technique.
Practice correct splitting in training.
Ande
I think the top racers will pay close attention to their splits (time wise). However, I think that most Masters swimmers are satisfied to finish in the top 5 regardless of splitting.
Look at Ande's swimming faster faster tips for info on splitting. Talking about splitting is the same as talking about pacing and I think most people would say that correct pacing is critical in the middle distances not so much for 50s and 100s.
It is a really good indicator of conditioning as well as learning how to race competitively.
For example: If you are swimming a 100 yd race and your first 50 yd is far more faster than you second 50 yds, you went out too fast and you can look at the splits to know that you should conserve your energy.
It is only a measurement, not essential. I am wondering if that is the exact word that you meant to use. Essential no. Knowing what splits are and using them for your benefit, yes. It is just a tool.
Thank you for the expertise.
So what about the ¡¥splits¡¦ as in.. she/he is so flexible she can do the splits.
Do you guys think the splits mentioned above is essential to be a great swimmer?
being able to do the splits is not a critical factor for swimming fast
if it were I would have mentioned it in swim faster faster
you never need your legs in that position when you swim
they would just act as brakes
for swimmers,
being able to do the splits is just a party trick
you do need flexible ankles and shoulders
you do need to bend over enough to get in starting position
being able to do the splits might help avoid groin injuries, but it's over kill
being able to do the splits is
not a critical factor for swimming fast
Sorry,
Ande
Originally posted by RayT
Thank you for the expertise.
So what about the ¡¥splits¡¦ as in.. she/he is so flexible she can do the splits.
Do you guys think the splits mentioned above is essential to be a great swimmer?
I'm not an expert, but I would say that as long as you are reasonably flexible, being able to do the splits is not important for swimmers. If you think about the range of movement necessary for a good kick, it comes nowhere near a full split in any direction.
There are a few other parts of the body where good flexibility can be very important for swimmers. One is the shoulders, so you can perform a good streamline. Another is the ankles, which is important for your kick.
Personally, I was a gymnast until I was about 13. I was one of the least flexible on the team, but I could do the splits almost all the way (within 4? inches of the floor). I am now in college and much less flexible (over a foot from the floor for all splits). I do not think this decrease in flexibility affected my swimming.
Basically, I would recommend that swimmers stretch, but focus on flexibility in the shoulders and ankles, not in the hips.
Terry - is there anything in your opinion that will benefit swimming other than doing a bunch of drills in the pool? You have downplayed the benefits to swimming of any sport but swimming. There are many elite swimmers and even those of us regular swimmers who don't want to spend all our time in the pool and find other exercises of benefit. Where in your philosophy of swimming do you put other forms of exercise?
Geek: I wanna see you do the SPLITS! I do remember on the cross training thread that Terry said he like to mountain bike. Me, I'm running and weight lifting today. No swimming whatsoever. Sore shoulders.
