Push Your Limits: 5 Competitive Swimming Drills for Faster Times

Swimming is not just a sport. It is a form of art that involves synchronicity and precision. It requires rigorous training to hone your skills and to stand out in a competition full of promising swimmers. If you are a competitive swimmer looking to take your swimming to the next level, it is time to push your limits.

Pushing your limits means that you should challenge yourself to do things differently, to refine your technique, and to train harder. You cannot achieve this by performing the same drills and techniques every day. You need to do more than that. In this article, we will discuss five competitive swimming drills that will help you improve your speed and endurance, enabling you to be the best swimmer you can be.

1. Butterfly Drill

Butterfly stroke is one of the most challenging swimming strokes. It requires a lot of energy and strength to execute correctly. The butterfly drill is designed to help you perfect your technique, which will help you conserve energy and improve your speed.

How to do it:

• Start by pushing off the wall with both hands.
• Take a stroke and lift your head up to breath.
• Next, take another stroke and lift your head up to breath again.
• On the third stroke, do not raise your head. Instead, focus on timing your kick with your arms.
• Repeat the drill for several laps.

The butterfly drill teaches you how to execute the butterfly stroke correctly. You will learn to time your kicks and arms, coordinate your breathing, and improve your body positioning. It is a challenging drill, but with consistent practice, you will improve your technique and swim faster.

2. Freestyle Swimming with Fins

Swimming with fins is an excellent way to improve your speed and endurance. Fins can help you strengthen your legs and improve your kick, which is a critical element in freestyle swimming.

How to do it:

• Start by putting on your fins and getting in the water.
• Begin swimming freestyle while keeping your kick steady and consistent.
• Aim to move your legs slowly while concentrating on generating power.
• Try not to let the fins control your movement; rather, use them to enhance your movement.
• Repeat the drill for several laps.

Swimming freestyle with fins will make you feel more buoyant in the water, which will help you swim faster. You will also learn to use your legs more efficiently, generating more power and speed in the water. With consistent practice and hard work, you will be able to swim faster and cover longer distances.

3. Backstroke Recovery Drill

Backstroke is a beautiful swimming stroke. It involves a lot of coordination and balance between your arms and legs. The backstroke recovery drill helps you perfect your technique, especially when it comes to recovery.

How to do it:

• Start by lying on your back and extending your arms straight behind your head.
• Take a deep breath and begin kicking.
• Keep your upper body flat and relaxed, and keep it still while maintaining a steady kick.
• Focus on your hand placement and recovery. Your hands should follow a straight line, keeping them close to your body.
• Repeat the drill for several laps.

The backstroke recovery drill can help you perfect your technique in backstroke swimming. It teaches you to streamline your body, making you more efficient while swimming. It also helps you develop better coordination between your arms and legs, leading to faster and more controlled swimming.

4. One Arm Drill

One-arm drill is an excellent way to improve your freestyle swimming technique. It helps you focus on each arm individually, working on your technique and timing until both arms are perfectly synchronized.

How to do it:

• Begin by swimming freestyle.
• For the first few strokes, only use your left arm.
• After a few strokes, switch and use your right arm only.
• Once you have completed a few strokes, use both arms while focusing on perfect timing and technique.
• Repeat the drill for several laps.

The one-arm drill is an effective technique for improving your freestyle swimming. It helps you develop better timing, technique, and bilateral breathing. You will be able to generate more power and speed, allowing you to swim faster, farther, and more efficiently.

5. Kicking Drill

Kicking is one of the essential components of competitive swimming. The kicking drill is designed to help you perfect your kick, allowing you to generate more speed and power while swimming.

How to do it:

• Start by lying on your back, keeping your legs straight.
• Begin kicking in a steady and consistent rhythm.
• Keep your legs straight and your toes pointed out of the water.
• Concentrate on generating power, moving your legs up and down in a controlled motion.
• Repeat the drill for several laps.

The kicking drill helps you develop better leg strength, improve your technique, and streamline your body while swimming. It also teaches you how to conserve energy, allowing you to swim for longer distances with more efficiency.

In conclusion, pushing your limits requires discipline, dedication, and hard work. These five competitive swimming drills will help you to improve your speed, endurance, and overall technique, allowing you to compete at a higher level. Remember that consistent practice and hard work are the keys to success in swimming. Keep pushing yourself, and you will start to see the results in no time.