At a local meet last weekend I did a 200 backstroke SCY, just for kicks. It was only the second time swimming it SCY, plus once LCM. I like to try out different things at meets just to shake up the routine and get a read on my progress, or lack-of.
After the swim, all of my team mates commented on the swim, saying it looked-- great, really smooth, strong, good rotation, strong walls, etc. The swim actually felt very good (I'd been sick all week and debated scratching), to the point it felt easy.
I would like to make this a "reguar" event, and have even added it to my nationals line-up (bonus event w/o qual. time). Would love feedback from those of you who consider yourselves 200 backstrokers.
How do I improve speed overall? Maintain speed on the back half (splits below)? Should I be using lots of legs throughout or save for the back half?
No video to share, but my splits from previous swims are:
8/08 LCM 3:07.22 --42.8 1:30.1(47.3) 2:20.0(49.9) 3:07.22 (47.2)
4/07 SCY 2:46.88 --1:19.4 (37, 42) 1:26.88 (43, 43)
3/08 SCY 2:41.xx -- 1:18.xx 1:22.xx (no 50 splits)
Clearly my second 100 needs work; although, this last time was better. My 100 usually runs around 1:16 high, so I think I'm taking it out ok. I get 3-4 SDK off each wall, which brings out past the flags.
I have two more opportunities to swim the 200 in meets before nationals. Any tips would be appreciated.
Dana
Parents
Former Member
work on a good roll, don't cut your stoke short. keep your fingers together. when your arm leaves the water drive it through the air. a lot of people just have it going the same speed underwater and above, it takes less energy to make it move above the air so you can still conserve and be able to initiate a pull faster. I love the 20 back. I only get to swim it in fall and summer though, high school scy doesn't have the 20 fortunately. also if you have a good streamline utilize it, especially lcm meets, backstroke streamlines can really really be helpful. if you watch ncaa champs or olympics and the like they take the full 15 meter streamline for the back because its so much quicker than the actual stroke.
work on a good roll, don't cut your stoke short. keep your fingers together. when your arm leaves the water drive it through the air. a lot of people just have it going the same speed underwater and above, it takes less energy to make it move above the air so you can still conserve and be able to initiate a pull faster. I love the 20 back. I only get to swim it in fall and summer though, high school scy doesn't have the 20 fortunately. also if you have a good streamline utilize it, especially lcm meets, backstroke streamlines can really really be helpful. if you watch ncaa champs or olympics and the like they take the full 15 meter streamline for the back because its so much quicker than the actual stroke.
