how many strokes per 25 yd length in the pool

That is akin to asking how many steps a person takes to run 25 yds.

Count your strokes the first time around, after a warm up. Use that as your benchmark.

I use 17 strokes, I think. Maybe not.

CP2K

The true answer is "one less than you are currently doing."

I do about 14 at best after a 7-yard pushoff.

I just started swimming at the beginning of April. I started off at 25 strokes per 25 yards. After dedicating most of my swim time to TI drills, I am down to 21 strokes per 25 yards. Not great, but an improvement.

Im around 14 in a clean technique, comfortable pace. In a pinch I can get it down to 9 for fun with a really long push off and a pull buoy

There is no real magic number due to everyones different technique. The key is are you being as efficient as possible. You dont want to get your stroke count down to 12, but have to glide for a second or two between each pull and lose time because of it. You should be completing some sort of useful motion at all times. For a 6ft male swimmer I would say under 20 is good ... YMMV

Edited by grit_nugget 2007-04-29 5:30 PM

I'm comfortable with 12-14 with a pushoff, about 14 off a flip turn. It also depends on your height and size of your hands... as well as how powerful your kick is. Obviously a lacking in any of those catergories will raise your stroke count.

i'm currently around 18 w/push off and I'm 6'2", so I have some progress to make, but it sounds like I'm starting in a good place for a beginner.

What constiutes a stroke. is it right then left is one or right is 1 and left is 1??

It depends on how effecient you are but when I first started in August of 2006 I was doing 22 strokes per 25y and I'm now doing anywhere between 14-15 strokes per 25y.  It takes time to get a good smooth stroke but by doing the TI drills I think your going in the right direction.  I use them too!  Cheers!

In my world 1 right + 1 left = 2 strokes.

That's how I'm counting.

One of the best ways to find your optimal number is to play swim golf. Count your strokes and time yourself for 50 yards. Add the two numbers together. Lower is better. If 28 strokes takes 60 seconds but 32 strokes takes 50 seconds, then you should be taking 32 strokes per 50.

I'm at 13 to 14 when I focus on it, otherwise I hover around 15. 

I'm generally around 17 strokes off a flip turn, probably 14 off a push-off.

Definitely work a few reps of swim golf into your swims. It's a decent measure of your stroke efficiency v. speed, plus it's fun!

I'm 5'4" and on a 50 yd set I'll do 17 on the first 25 and about 19 on the 2nd. But that's when I'm taking my time. When I'm sprinting it's probably closer to 20. I need to work on that...

These days I'm 12-13 off a push-off and 16 off a turn. It sounds like you're off to a good start.

When I really concentrate on reaching and all the other technique things I can go 11 strokes with a push-off.  Usually around 13 strokes when doing 100's  and around 14-15 towards the end of a 500-1,000.

For 25 yards and a medium pushoff.  Between 22-25 strokes.

For 25 yards and a medium pushoff.  Between 22-25 strokes. 

For 25 yards and a medium pushoff.  Between 22-25 strokes.  I'm not that efficient.

Edited by BellinghamSpence 2007-04-30 8:13 AM

3 weeks ago I was around 25-30 strokes per 25 yards. Now I'm down to about 17 per 25 yards. Thats pushing off the wall. TI really helped me. Now if I could just get it all to come together with this breathing thing.

16-17 usually is good for 4200 yards/hour for me.