Main Set Monday - Breaststroke Adaptation

Here’s a set that will challenge your breaststrokers to learn their stroke.

The idea is to set a standard time, and then adapt your stroke to change your count, but have the time remain consistent.

The strokes are changed by a count of 1 per 50, as breaststroke has the lowest stroke count.  If you used this for other strokes, you could probably adjust by 1 per length.

Main Set (short course yards):
– 8 x 50 on 1:00 – descend stroke count by 1 from 1-4, 5-8.  Time remains consistent.
– 8 x 50 on :50 – descend stroke count by 1 from 1-4, 5-8.  Time remains consistent.
– 8 x 50 on :45 – descend stroke count by 1 from 1-4, 5-8.  Time remains consistent.

The swimmers are allowed to adjust their stroke count from set to set, but not within the set.  They have to build off what they started with.

Example –
#1 – Swimmer A starts the set taking 6 strokes per length and swims a :35
#2 – Swimmer A must take 5 strokes on the 1st lap, then is allowed 6 on the 2nd, but the time must still be :35
#3 – Swimmer A is shooting for 5 strokes on the 1st, and 5 on the 2nd, with a time of :35
#4 – Swimmer A is now trying for 4 strokes on the 1st, and 5 on the 2nd, with a time of :35

Set 2
If the first set was NOT accomplished, the swimmer should either adjust his/her starting stroke count, or time.  They’re allowed to make it slower, faster, more strokes, or less strokes.  The important thing is that they’re learning more about their stroke, and their ability.

Set 3
Continues along the same lines, but with very reduced rest.  If the swimmers are in shape, playing with the stroke while getting only :05 – :10 rest shouldn’t be a problem.

This is an educational set that is also pretty darn tough!