Entry For Skills--Competitive Swimming--February 07

Participants: Thomas

Overview:
- 25m speed training
- 400m pulling strokes

Venue: Geylang East Swimming Complex (Mon)
Chinese Swimming Club (Wed)

Date: 4/2, 7/2, 11/2, 14/2, 21/2, 25/2, 28/2
Hours completed: 14 hrs

As a start for trainings, we did some stretching exercises beside the pool to prevent ourselves from getting any cramps in the water. Next, as a warm-up, we swam about 10 laps before beginning our training. After every swimmer has finished their usual routine, we begin to practice our pulling strokes for freestyle. The coach split up the practice into 4x100m. This form of training ensures that the swimmer is able to perfect his strokes and thus able to better his timing, which is important in competitive swimming. To execute this training, the swimmer would have to place a “pull buoy” or otherwise known as a float, between his legs. Next, he will kick off from the start and begin to “pull” through the water, purely using the arm strength as kicking would not be involved in this training. Thus, the swimmer would practice in 4 intervals with breaks within every 100m(2 laps) that the swimmer completes. Another form of training would be the 25m speed intervals. The coach split the team into groups of 4 with each swimmer numbered 1 to 4. Next, when a number is called out, the swimmer of that number from each group would step forward. We shall then perform a plunge into the water and swim to the best of our capabilities for 25m which is halfway through the pool. Upon crossing the 25m mark, we would slow down and swim at our own pace to the end of the pool. This would allow the swimmer to train up his starting plunge into the pool and his speed for short distances in the pool. This form of training would be crucial in preparation for events such as 50m freestyle as speed would be the key to victory.