How do you prevent sacrificing stroke length when you increase stroke rate?
Former Member
Through recent trainings, I think I have been able to increase my stroke length. I can tell this by the hissing sound getting louder that I hear when I pull, as well as the number of strokes per yard. :laugh2:
But when I try to increase the stroke rate as well, this time my stroke length suffers and the overall speed doesn't get as much boost from my recently increased stroke length.
Is it because I am not executing the stroke technique in exactly the same manner when I'm sprinting as when I am just cruising? Or are there other things to watch out when I sprint?
Catching and pulling the water efficiently at any speed is the key.
Former Member
I have a thread in 'coaching' part of this forum called 'how to increase my stroke rate' for a couple of months. With the help of some people (especially coach Sean) I've learned a lot.
I do not know your specific case, but if you give some more detail, there are a lot of people here to help.
In my case, during the sprinting I have the problems of:
incomplete strokes (without completing the push)
rushing through the strokes (not enough reach)
crossing the strokes
weak kicking
wrong breathing pattern (too frequent breathing)best of luck to you:bouncing:
In my case it just takes practice. I have a good long stroke when I am cruising, but a few months ago, my coach told me that it all falls apart when I sprint. So I have been really concentrating on long arms, rolling body, and fast turnover. When I am thinking about my arms and rolling, and am already in sprinting mode, I am able to keep form. Practice, Practice, Practice!!:)
Former Member
What you wish to find is the optimal combination of strokes and time (fewest strokes and fastest time). In college, we would do a set of, say, 10x 50's freestyle on 1:00, trying to cut the total combination of strokes plus time each swim.
What you find when doing so is that it helps to be very efficient off the start/turns (streamline, dolphin/flutter kick) and to be very powerful in the back half of each stroke ("finishing your strokes"). If you finish each stroke, you'll find that stroke rate is a factor of your strength...
Former Member
One of the things that helps me think through this question is to think about how to move through the water in the most efficient manner possible. Although I was taught (many years ago) that distance per stroke (DPS) is one of the most important elements in swimming, it appears that more recent thinking involves looking towards how quickly you can 'catch' and then release the water (as suggested in a prior response). It may help to think about an escalator or conveyor belt...if you can get a sustainable rhythm going with your stroke by catching and then releasing, you can build momentum through the water more easily than by 'forcing' your stroke by focusing solely on distance per stroke. This was somewhat counterintuitive for me to think about until I played around with my stroke and found that by sacrificing some of the DPS for more strokes, I was able to swim faster. Of course, you'll want to find what works best for you. I've also found that you can find some great info on the Web around stroke counts, etc. One of my favorite sites is www.goswim.tv. And of course, there are many other sites as well. Good luck!
I think Andy touched on a good point which is that increased DPS is something to strive for only if it makes you faster. One of the things that always bugged me about the "swim golf" drill someone else mentioned is that it sort of implies number of strokes and time are of equal importance when, in fact, the only thing that really matters is time. If you take 50 strokes to complete a 50 and the other guy only takes 25, but you touch the wall first, you still win.
I think a better drill would be to swim a fast 50 and count your strokes. Then make the goal to stay at that time or improve while taking fewer strokes. There's no point in taking fewer strokes if all it slows you down.
