How should you train to sprint 25 yards faster?

I thought this would be an interesting discussion How should you train to sprint 25's faster? probably begin with Testing your current 25 speed then do some type of training then retest 25 speed how often to retest? What type of training? Your thoughts are?
  • I wonder if this would be a "refining technique issue" since the distance is so short? If you can swim a 25 in 10-12 seconds, then you're looking at shaving tenths and hundreths off. Is it possible to shave that small amount through physical conditioning? Just curious. I also think breathing (or not breathing) would be a major issue. My :2cents:
  • I think first and foremost you should do lots and lots of starts.
  • here's what influences 25 speed Here's what a swimmer does warms up rests puts on racing suit reports to race gets psyched + mentally prepares to go ballistic, tap your rage, start ready position reaction time jump +blast off the blocks, leg strength dive entry streamline glide SDK or SFK (how many, how far) breakout swimming head position / body position arm movements leg movements strength turn over touch 1) equipment: suit cap and goggles 2) body shape, strength, proportions and flexibility 3) technique 4) mental: get in IPS the swimmer would establish her best times then attempt to improve them looking to improve by 10ths and 100ths over days, weeks and months I think many swimmers hope to improve their speed but their training maintains their ability to swim 200's and up Speed training takes a different approach
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    Isn't that a "quick kick" issue?
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    Bust out your alpha fins at the END of the workout or at least after main set and break off 10 x 25's. Do some no breathers too--maybe rest a little longer for those. I find my fin speed at the end of workout was comparable to my no fin speed when I am rested. Why did I do it this way? Good to feel fast and in the right speedboat position (even off of fins), and work hard for your breathing while also fighting fatigue from being worked out already. No breathing helps control the desire to breath for that duration of time. I'll be doing this once a week and then seeing how it works on my times.
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    Max speed is how I prepare for any event. In the "off-season," most of my workouts are just a bunch of 25-yard sprints. The idea is to develop speed, and then when a meet approaches, extend the speed to whatever distance (usually 50 yards for me). Weight training is a big part of it, with a long-term focus on building muscle. In the pool, just sprint. Kick, swim, swim with fins, whatever. Lots of rest. 12x25 @ 1:00 is not as effective for this goal as 6x25 @ 3:00. It's really simple, and it's my favorite way to swim.
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    How fast can a guy swim 25 yards? I liked my 25s to be as close to 9 seconds as I could get them. When we were kids we did lots of one length endless relays. Even did them when we were older. Every length we did was an all out sprint. We learned to dive we learned how to breakout and swim at high speed and finish. Funky fish you have to have great technique to swim a fast 25.
  • Do over speed work with fins.Do 12.5s to work on speed and developing the CP metabolic pathway(good for the first about 6 sec.) Lift weights,work on flexibility,and do lots of starts when fresh.
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    Ande all very good. A great dive, a powerful breakout and a great finish is so important in that little 25 yard swim. My dive changed so much over time. My breakout was of course without SDK but I came to the surface at about 11 yards out. I did a pop out of the water. Then a few very hard pulls and power to the wall. Never a breath on the 25.
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    I really enjoy trying to improve my 25 yard time because I think it equates into substantial 50 and 100 yard time drops. I'm currently trying to get my 25yard breaststroke time (from a push-off) down to 15 seconds. I'm at 17.5 right now. I know that's a hunk of change but it's a goal. I think I can realistically get down to a 16.5 and maybe next year a 15. My best 50 last year was a 31.6 but with an added 10lbs from the stupid holidays I think I'll be lucky to break 33. Anyway, I don't usually put in more than a 1000 yards in a day (three times a week) and I've been training for three weeks now. Out of the 1000 yards over 5/6 of it is technique work. I use my techpaddles with a Finis snorkle (I love the combination). My timing is so up and down I'm afraid I don't have enough time to get it to gel (the meet is on Sunday Feb. 17th). I'm almost at the top of my age group and Randy Parker is the top dog with a record in all Br events (sub 30 in the 50 and 1:05 in the 100) -he's a beast (washboard abs). Anyway, I think a lot of master swimmers overtrain (I undertrain) but with that being said, a hardy focus on technique and little drops in your 50 can equate into some PR's. Good luck!
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