the order for IM is
fl bk br fr
but if you could change up the order of the IM
there are 24 stroke order combinations to choose from
They are:
fl bk br fr IM order
fl bk fr br
fl br bk fr
fl br fr bk (i think this is the fastest order)
fl fr bk br
fl fr br bk
bk fl br fr medley order
bk fl fr br
bk br fl fr (this is probably the slowest order, because you get no flip from fly to free)
bk br fr fl (this might be the most painful order)
bk fr fl br
bk fr br fl
br fl bk fr
br fl fr bk (tyler thinks this is the fastest order)
br bk fl fr
br bk fr fl
br fr bk fl
br fr fl bk
fr fl bk br
fr fl br bk
fr bk br fl
fr bk fl br
fr br bk fl
fr br fl bk
If normal stroke rules apply:
Which order is the fastest?
Why?
Which order is the slowest?
Why?
Which order is most painful?
if you moved breastroke to first or second in order would breastrokers have less of an advantage in IMs than they do with the traditional order?
a pretty easy work out would be
24 x 100 IM doing each stroke order sequence once
More challenging might be
24 x 200 IM doing each stroke order sequence once
seriously challenging would be
24 x 400 IM doing each stroke order sequence once
Former Member
In my case, I would absolutely do breaststroke first, to get the most out of the start and turns before getting tired. Then fly, to get that out of the way before exhaustion sets in, otherwise I might not finish. After that, probably backstroke, which I'm rotten at, so might as well use it to rest up for the final freestyle leg.
It is a logic puzzle. Here is what we know (assumes swimmer is elite level):
1. Breaststroke has to be first because it is the slowest stroke and thus the benefit of the start is maximized
2. Either breaststroke or butterfly has to be last because the two handed touch turn is the slowest.
3. Backstroke should be done before butterfly because the additional breathing will maximize the underwater dolphin kick on the fly leg.
If these are true then the optimal order is:
***, Free, Back, Fly
Your logic is fine, but I think there are some higher-order terms in the optimization that may be important. For example, does the "fatigue factor" associated with doing fly last cost more time than is saved by eliminating one 2-hand-touch turn?
It is a logic puzzle. Here is what we know (assumes swimmer is elite level):
1. Breaststroke has to be first because it is the slowest stroke and thus the benefit of the start is maximized
2. Either breaststroke or butterfly has to be last because the two handed touch turn is the slowest.
3. Backstroke should be done before butterfly because the additional breathing will maximize the underwater dolphin kick on the fly leg.
If these are true then the optimal order is:
***, Free, Back, Fly
Your logic is fine, but I think there are some higher-order terms in the optimization that may be important. For example, does the "fatigue factor" associated with doing fly last cost more time than is saved by eliminating one 2-hand-touch turn?
Not with an elite swimmer which is why I stipulated that. But for me(!) yes that is sadly something to consider.
The freestyle rules only state that "some part of your body" must touch the wall on the turns and finish.
But since it states freestyle in an IM can only be crawl and not any other stroke, wouldn't you be prevented from duing a flip turn since you are on your back or side before you hit the wall and are no long swimming freestyle??
I think the advantage I would get with a *** start is too great not to lead off with that.
BR - FL - FR - BA
if we are allowed to do a flip turn FR to BA. that way I can breathe all I want/need on the last 25.
But if we could do a flip turn BA to FR then I would want to have free last, so I could catch my breath on the 3rd leg.
