Strokes per length

robertwb - 2010-10-27 8:17 AM First off, it depends on how fast you are going when you do this 23-25 spl, and how long your pushoffs are. For context, you are taking about the same, or maybe even a few LESS strokes per length than Janet Evans (who was doing 50-55 in a 50m pool in her heyday, 15:50ish for a 1500m), and a good deal MORE than Grant Hackett during his 14:35 for a 1500m. Hacketts took about 34 strokes per length in a 50m pool, with a 5m pushoff at the beginning of each length. So, assuming the same pushoff in a 25m pool, he would be taking about 15 strokes per length ( (25-5) * ( 34 / (50-5)) ). Of course, Hackett is over 6 feet, and Evans was just barely over 5. I give a bit more broad review of stroke rates in elite pool swimmer here (all done in a 50m pool): http://www.findingfreestyle.com/passive-technique-blog/strokeratesi... regards, r.b.

H20 Killer - 2010-10-27 6:25 AM Yes, that's a lot, a whole lot.  I'd try to work on getting under 20, closer to 16-18,

swimmer04 - 2010-10-27 8:24 AM Like h20 Killer said, that is way to much. Your stroke count should be anywhere from about 14-19. everyone has a different stroke, but taking that many strokes is just wasting energy. Try to develop your pull a little bit more so that you get more glide out of your stroke. 

Try to develop your pull a little bit more so that you get more glide out of your stroke. 

rayd - 2010-10-27 9:01 AM

a couple years ago I tried the TI thing with the lower stroke count.  I got lower but my swimming was slower as well.  I just couldn't keep the same pace with the stroke rate that feels comfortable to me.  23/25 might be on the high side as I am around 19/21 and people have told me that's too high...but that's what works for me.

However, when I see a good swimmer in the pool I often with stop and watch and even count their stroke rate.  I've see guys/girls swimming much faster than I do with stroke rates around 14/16.  They make it look so effortless.

AdventureBear - 2010-10-27 9:57 AM Beware of confusing streamlining with propulsion...they are two different (but obviously connected) components of swimming well. For the OP, a few things will probably help him optimize his stroke count... 1) First and foremost is always goign to be balance...front to back balance in the water will reduce your cross sectional area presented to the water, so the same movements that move you forward will move you FURTHER if your balance is good. No need to power more with the stroke. 2) Streamlining. Similar to #1, but more refined. What things are going on that are causing more drag than propulsion? Enjoy the streamline by reaching forward in a diagonal line from outreached arm to the opposite, rearward stretched leg. Reducing things like wide kicks, scissor kicks, a wobbly core that allows your body to wiggle from side to side while you swim...will all help you streamline more. Both of these things will let you move further with each stroke, and while they may feel odd...they will feel EASIER while letting you swim faster. Check this blog post I just wrote about streamlining... What can Tuna teach us about swimmign? http://www.steelcityendurance.com/index.php?option=com_content&...

jlennon - 2010-10-27 10:32 AM Some great suggestions here and I will use them (I'm awful at swimming and never even thought about counting my strokes in the pool). Question though that I thought about when reading through the thread--do you push off at the wall usually? It does feel like "cheating" and I know that when I am tired it seems as if I do more of a push off than when I am first starting my swim. Does anyone just touch the wall, push off with the arms and swim without the extra push fro the legs? Maybe I'll try that.... 

jlennon - 2010-10-27 11:32 AM

Some great suggestions here and I will use them (I'm awful at swimming and never even thought about counting my strokes in the pool). Question though that I thought about when reading through the thread--do you push off at the wall usually? It does feel like "cheating" and I know that when I am tired it seems as if I do more of a push off than when I am first starting my swim. Does anyone just touch the wall, push off with the arms and swim without the extra push fro the legs? Maybe I'll try that.... 

H20 Killer - 2010-10-27 9:17 AM



Streamlining is done off the walls, not between the flags. Between the flags it is about technique and stroke, not streamlining. 

DanielG - 2010-10-27 9:49 AM

Try faster turn over. Try slower turnover. Try beating the water to death. Try shark smooth. See which works best for you. The race is about time, not how few strokes you take.

Boogie7247 - 2010-10-27 1:50 PM

distance dave after looked like he was swimming 3 min 100's. I like the distance dave on crack before swimming 12 second 100's.

AdventureBear - 2010-10-27 9:06 AM You'll never be finished polishing your swim technique...how fast do you swim at 19-21 SPL? Have you ever practiced with a tempo trainier to train a faster rate at teh same stroke count? Or a slower rate with a lower stroke count, which non-intuitively, can sometimes help you swim faster?

AdventureBear - 2010-10-27 3:08 PM Switch the paces and you've got it right. BTW, the guy in the video is the infamous Shinji whose swimming videos rank 2nd in popularity only to michael phelps.