Stroke count

I think the general practice is to count each arm stroke independently for freestyle. My coach calls them "hand splashes." I think stroke count per 25 yards is all over the place for Masters swimmers. It depends on technique, body shape (height, hand size, feet size, etc.). I have seen Masters swimmers range from 10 to 40. I would just guess that a typical Masters range is between 12 and 20. I'm 5'8 and my stroke count is usually 15-16 in practice.

I'd also like to know answer to this. I don't count that one. You should. It IS a propulsion movement. Besides knowing your REAL DPS or Stroke count will help you (and your coach if any).

So less is more? it would seem so, less rotation less effort right? i've never dealt with this. I'm just looking at ways to improve my stroke. Rotator cuff issues are keeping me up at night. thanks for the responses so far

I count by 2's every time my right hand touches the water. Since my 1st stroke is with the left and is the underwater one it gets counted. And that is why, Ladies and Gentlemen, breathing unilaterally and once per cycle is the way to go. I breathe to my left and my first pull is with my right arm. I'll then take my first breath after having done one full cycle. I'll usually SFK to the 12.5m mark and surface with a strong right arm pull/push. If I breathe three times (going at a good clip, not quite sprinting), I know it's a good day. If I breathe three (and almost a fourth time) then my day's not so good. You can guess what constitutes a bad day.

The goal is to get maximum distance per stroke. Depending on height, technique and ability... stroke count will vary per person. For freestyle, I count everytime a hand pulls thru the water. Work on distance per stroke in one of your sets once in a while. Stretch out your stroke, calm your breathing down, really work your pull. Try to keep your strokes close to perfect - do drills and really concentrate on what you are doing. My former doc told me to really focus on correct technique and doing so should avoid some injuries.

So less is more? it would seem so, less rotation less effort right? Less is more. The further you can push yourself forward with each stroke, the more efficient your stroke, and thus, the less strokes you take. Not only do stroke counts vary person, but they will also vary based on what you are doing. Your stroke count during a all out sprint will be different then your stroke count during a 1650. I wouldn't worry about "normal" stroke counts too much. Remember, you can do a 25 in zero strokes. Someone also mentioned rotator cuff issues. Decreasing stroke count will help with this, but I think the large problem is the recovery phase of the stroke. I know finger tip drill, zipper drill and exaggerated body roll helped me get my stroke back to where it needed to be so my shoulders could handle higher yardage.

I think you need to be sort of careful because you can get carried away with trying to reduce stroke count. You only want to reduce stroke count in a manner that keeps your stroke efficient. This means keeping your arm connected to the core and not just reaching out as far as you can. I can take very few strokes per length if I keep my arm fully extended and pause between strokes while only kicking, but this isn't a fast way to swim.Why wouldn't you want to do that? Each stroke you should reach as far as you can, and stream line with one hand as it enters the water.

I am currently self coached. so im on my own here. what is a general stroke count. ever since HS i've been the same 8.5 (botharm rotation=1 stroke).A general stroke count is three. That's not a per 25yd stroke count, but that's the number you should be counting to. Breath every three strokes, then start over. If you do it right, you'll be breathing to every other side each time you take a breath. The idea behind counting your total number of strokes per 25 is to improve your streamline and the strength you get out of each stroke, basically to see if you can do it. It's a fun time killer, but it's got very little to do with actual swimming.

Stroke count is an individual thing. I know fast people who take many strokes per lap. I know many fast people who take a few strokes per lap. The number of strokes per lap should change (or will) and that is fine. If you are sprinting vs mid-distance vs distance, you will have a different stroke count. Your stroke count will also change during an event or practice. Be aware of that, it helps you with pacing. It is also a mind game to help forget about pain. I'm tapped out. That's about all I know.

not sure www.youtube.com/watch I'm not really talking about what the arms do during the recovery. a Straight-arm windmill style certainly works for some, but you'll see even someone like Nystrand bends his arm some during his pull and he definitely doesn't spend any time with his arm extended out front as far as possible.