I've been swimming for about 3-4 months now, freestyle. For the first few weeks, i was all about technique and timed my 25's all the time. My record was about 25-30 secs. Since then I've been focusing on actual swimming, not so much thinking. anyways... i tried a few fast 25's and I'm in the 15-16 secs range now, and 20-23 secs for casual laps.
First, i don't know if its good or not. i mean, i read people do really great times and i wonder if it's because I'm Farley new or don't have good technique yet. Also, i need some idea on what time range i should be doing my 50's and 100's. What should my goal be for the next 3-6 months?
One more thing, i think i have short stroke rate. I actually counted mine yesterday for the first time... started with about 20, by the end i got i down to about 14-15 but i struggle. i don't know how to maximize my stroke. I feel i lose momentum and kick too much between strokes rather then kick slower and glide. I feel like I don't use the same technique i use when i swim regularly. Any tips on how to glide more? i did try focusing on moving forward and it worked, although i didn't do much body roll, i feel it actually slows me down.
Sorry for the long post. Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.
I have only been swimming two years so take my advice cautiously.
Is your stroke count 15 total strokes per 25 yds? if so that is very low.....which is a good thing. Ian Thorpe is probably around 12 per 25 yds. Could you clarify how you are measuring strokes? How tall are you and what is your reach?
I would say that a 30sec 50 is most exceptional for your experience. I swam for about 6 months before my first ever meet and think I did a 32sec 50 and a 1:10 100.
You should be 6 beat kicking. Developing a strong kick will bring your stroke count down.
There are alot of variables here, but do a 100, 200 and 1000 time trial in practice and post the times (do the 1000 on a different day). If you are not good at flip turns yet, just use good open turns, since crapy flip turns will screw up your time more than a good open turn.
Just timing a 25 will not be revealing enough as to where you are at. Keep a journal of your progression. Get yourself to a meet and swim the 50,100 and 200. Do this at least twice a year and have fun watching the times come down!!
One last piece of advice. Learn other strokes!! It will make you a faster freestyler. *** will teach streamlining, back will develop your kick and fly will build a great engine!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have only been swimming two years so take my advice cautiously.
Is your stroke count 15 total strokes per 25 yds? if so that is very low.....which is a good thing. Ian Thorpe is probably around 12 per 25 yds. Could you clarify how you are measuring strokes? How tall are you and what is your reach?
I would say that a 30sec 50 is most exceptional for your experience. I swam for about 6 months before my first ever meet and think I did a 32sec 50 and a 1:10 100.
You should be 6 beat kicking. Developing a strong kick will bring your stroke count down.
There are alot of variables here, but do a 100, 200 and 1000 time trial in practice and post the times (do the 1000 on a different day). If you are not good at flip turns yet, just use good open turns, since crapy flip turns will screw up your time more than a good open turn.
Just timing a 25 will not be revealing enough as to where you are at. Keep a journal of your progression. Get yourself to a meet and swim the 50,100 and 200. Do this at least twice a year and have fun watching the times come down!!
One last piece of advice. Learn other strokes!! It will make you a faster freestyler. *** will teach streamlining, back will develop your kick and fly will build a great engine!!!!!!!!!!!!
