Wednesday’s Backstroke Set

Chris Plumb, Carmel Swim Club

LCM
4x:
4 x 25 @ :40 12.5 spin/12.5 Fast backstroke (KEEP THE TEMPO UP)
4 x 50 @ 1:10 Strap only
Rd 1) 1 x 200 Back MODERATE @ 3:00
Rd 2) 2 x 200 Back Descend to MODERATE/HARD @ 3:00
Rd 3) 3 x 200 Back Descend to HARD @ 3:00
Rd 4) 4 x 200 Back Descend to FAST!!! @ 3:00
1 x 100 easy @ 2:00

The ? Set

Ryan Woodruff, North Carolina Aquatic Club
coachryan@ncacswim.org

Here’s a workout for when you only have 30 minutes.

300 smooth swim for warmup

? x 50 @ :50
Using a dry-erase board, give the swimmers a different set of instructions for every 50, erasing the old instructions and writing the new one while they swim. Mix it up, changing speeds, strokes, drills, breathing patterns, etc. Don’t let the swimmers know what is coming beyond the next 50. All swims are choice unless the stroke is specified. Here’s an example:
#1- P200+5
#2- P200+3
#3- P200+1
#4- P200-1
#5- EZ free B3
#6- Free B5
#7- Free B7
#8- At count
#9- Race!
#10- At cycle count -1
#11- 25 underwater dolphin kick/ 25 sprint
#12- 25 sprint/25 underwater dolphin kick
#13- 25 race/25 ez kick
#14- Fly B 1 up/1 down
#15- Fly B 1 up/2 down
#16- Fly B 1 up/3 down
#17- Fast fly
#18- EZ breaststroke
#19- Race!
#20- At cycle count -2
#21- 12.5 fast/12.5 ez of same stroke as #20
#22- At cycle count
#23- Breast with dolphin kick
#24- Backstroke 12.5 spin drill/12.5 swim
#25- P1650

The set could go on for as long as you like. The changing up speeds and instructions every 50 keeps the swimmers alert and the set fresh and interesting. What other interesting instructions can you come up with?

Twenty Ways to Do 20 x 25 #8

Ryan Woodruff, North Carolina Aquatic Club
coachryan@ncacswim.org

#8 – Backstroke Tempo & Kick

20 x 25
Use a Finis Tempo Trainer and set it for your Threshold Tempo
4x:
#1- Backstroke, build tempo to threshold :25
#2- Fast backstroke swim at threshold tempo :20
#3- Backstroke spin drill at faster than threshold tempo :25
#4- Underwater streamline dolphin kick :25
#5- ez kick on back :30

Spin drill is sitting up “like in a chair,” with head still, very aggressive kick, and arms spinning at maximum speed. Don’t worry about holding water with your hands or moving quickly through the water. The entire emphasis is on tempo here.

Backstroke Workout #1

Ryan Woodruff

Warmup
800 :  100 free overkick/100 smooth backstroke/100 smooth free/100 overkick backstroke

Main Set
2x through: 1st round no equipment, 2nd round with paddles (don’t use paddles on 3 x 200)

3 x 200 backstroke  @ 3:20

12.5 r arm scull
12.5 l arm scull
25 fists drill
50 build
100 strong swim

3 x 50 kick backstroke on your side, kick 8+ yds off wall @ :50
2 x 200 backstroke  race pattern and descend 3:10
3 x 50 kick backstroke on your side, kick 8+ yds off wall @ :55
1 x 200 backstroke fast @ 3:00
3 x 50 kick backstroke on your side, kick 8+ yds off wall @ 1:00

Warm-down set
6 x 50 @ :20 rest
#1-4: 12.5 yards back spin drill then ez
#5-6:  just ez swim

4400 yards