Sprint freestyle

RE: Sprint freestyle

mattson — Tue, 17 Jan 2006 12:33:43 GMT

Originally posted by swimlong "easier speed" is both an oxymoron and an impossiblility. Eh? I'm guessing he means, finding ways to reduce the amount of energy expended to swim at a given speed. Here is an example of "easier speed". Swim a 200 free, kicking hard but with your hips 2 ft underwater. Then do it with moderate kick, but with a streamlined body position. You exert less effort, and you still swim faster.

RE: Sprint freestyle

Former Member — Sat, 14 Jan 2006 08:26:11 GMT

Originally posted by thewookiee . I am more interested in developing easier speed for the 200 free. "easier speed" is both an oxymoron and an impossiblility. Once you recognize this, you will accept that training for improved speed involves pain. "Easier" is only relative to what you could do when the best you could do was a slower speed...

RE: Sprint freestyle

Former Member — Mon, 09 Jan 2006 17:58:29 GMT

The Wookiee All sprinting feels less smooth than longer races. Don't worry about it. Everyone feels like they're on the edge of being out of control. Remember, the 50 free is basically a controlled accident. It's usually not the fastest person that wins. It's the person who screws up the least. Might I add this.... judging by your User Name, you might considering shaving down for this event. John Smith

RE: Sprint freestyle

BillS — Mon, 09 Jan 2006 12:19:59 GMT

My coach suggested trying to take 3 perfect setup strokes at the initial breakout. I also find it helpful to think about building tempo off those 3 instead of trying to go all out (read: flailing) from the outset.

RE: Sprint freestyle

Former Member — Mon, 09 Jan 2006 09:58:02 GMT

200??? That is a marathon swim for me these days. 1 knee op and the other one coming soon. If I ever compete again it is only going to be a 50 or 100 free and fly. My competition is so slow I think I will be OK. Wops I may change my mind as someone has sent me an invitation to swim an open water of 4000m in Belgium, 12th of August so I may change my mind and take aim at workouts longer than 1000m a day. May be 4000m a day.

RE: Sprint freestyle

Former Member — Mon, 09 Jan 2006 07:44:52 GMT

LOL... Thanks for the tip. Razor and shaving companies took a big profit loss, once I stopped swimming for a few years after college. I don't plan on swimming the 50 itself in meets, a little too short for my taste. I am more interested in developing easier speed for the 200 free. Right now though, my ability to swim fast, controlled, and smooth doesn't seem to be hitting at all. Thanks for all the advice! John

RE: Sprint freestyle

Former Member — Sun, 08 Jan 2006 14:13:49 GMT

Thanks! I really do appreciate the responses! Thanks, John

RE: Sprint freestyle

ande — Sun, 08 Jan 2006 12:33:10 GMT

sprinting takes effort you kinda wish you could just taper then flow a really fast 50 but that's not the case you gotta grind it out Ande

RE: Sprint freestyle

Former Member — Sun, 08 Jan 2006 11:58:19 GMT

Jazz, I will let you know. I expect it will take sometime and a lot of concentrated effort. Will let you know, when I know! Thanks! John

RE: Sprint freestyle

boathead — Sun, 08 Jan 2006 11:22:26 GMT

I saw two things on ande rasmussen's page that I've been paying attention to with good results: 1- If you want to swim fast, practice swimming fast. So I practice all out swims to improve my sprints. 2- The faster you swim, the more you want to relax. This is a real insight. When I'm swimming a sprint, I tell myself to relax and accelerate. It works! I'm able to turn over faster when my shoulders are more relaxed. I hope this is helpful.

RE: Sprint freestyle

Former Member — Sun, 08 Jan 2006 08:31:19 GMT

John, I'd like to hear how my advice works for you. Finding smoothness in sprinting is a challenge for me, too.

RE: Sprint freestyle

Former Member — Sat, 07 Jan 2006 10:54:53 GMT

In my experience, smoothness in freestyle sprinting is about body position. Keep your hips and lower torso as flat as possible relative to the surface of the water. You may also have to look forward to make sure that you don't bury your head. When your body is stable in the water, it's much easier to increase your turnover to a true sprint. But staying stable does require a lot of effort, especially from your legs. Practice doing 6-8 stroke breakouts with that in mind. Rest as much as you need to. Longer distances with less rest will make it impossible to practice true sprinting unless you are a very strong swimmer and you are in shape. Keep it simple by not rotating to breathe. Do a lot of them and you will improve your sprinting speed.

RE: Sprint freestyle

Former Member — Sat, 07 Jan 2006 10:10:31 GMT

No secret go like hades in the sprint the object is to get there first.