If you take less strokes per length it means you're an efficient swimmer - Not really !!!

After another talk to athletes this week I find very important to clarify this because so many athletes hear this from swim coaches and they end up swimming slower trying to follow this myth.... First of all - Measuring stroke rate per length is NOT the best way and CAN'T be compared to anyone else ! The only way you could maybe compare is if you count strokes per MINUTE! But I find funny when coaches tell you : "Look at John, he's fast and he only takes 16 strokes per length (25m pool) ! You want to be fast you need to do like John"

After another talk to athletes this week I find very important to clarify this because so many athletes hear this from swim coaches and they end up swimming slower trying to follow this myth....
First of all - Measuring stroke rate per length is NOT the best way and CAN'T be compared to anyone else ! The only way you could maybe compare is if you count strokes per MINUTE!

But I find funny when coaches tell you : "Look at John, he's fast and he only takes 16 strokes per length (25m pool) ! You want to be fast you need to do like John"
This is the stupidest thing I ever heard in swimming !! First of all, how can you compare John to you when John is 6'3" and swims 25m in 15s when you're 5'9" and takes you almost twice as much to cover same distance ???? You're not comparing apples with apples here !!!

You should never compare your stroke rate with anyone else because we are all different ! Not only height , but body type , background, level of efficiency and of course fitness.
Basically, quicker turn over will make you faster ! Just like quicker stride rate on the run will.

So athletes trying to reduce their strokes per length, end up gliding , dropping their legs and creating even more drag = swimming slower !

Also when you reduce your stroke per length , you are relying more on your muscles and power of the catch that is the weakness of most triathletes with no swim background. By keeping stroke rate high , you will need less strength per catch and you will generate more forward movement that helps to keep your legs on top of the water = less drag.

Like you do on running where first you increase your stride rate and then your rear leg extension :

* First increase stroke rate (I recommend 10% of what you do right now)
* Second work on your catch strength (use small paddles and develop it slowly. NOTE that big paddles ALSO makes you slow down your stroke rate because you're not strong enough to pull at same rate)

Unfortunately in our sports we have many coaches that called themselves "Experts" but they have not actually coached long enough and enough people (experience with different athletes) and often compare you with a professional athlete! You have to do what is the best and what works for you !

Happy training !