Split Your Main Set

Introduction:

The non-stop main set is a relic of 1980s thinking — and it’s producing mediocre swimming disguised as hard work.

Three Critical Learning Points:

* Pushing straight through a 20 x 100 set often means technique collapses, bad habits are reinforced and swimmers just swim to survive.

* Splitting the main set into two parts — with a purposeful break in the middle — restores quality skills execution and protects technique.

* We should be chasing consistency of great technique under fatigue, not just pushing kids to mediocrity in the interest of hitting goal times and heart rates.

Why Do We Accept Mediocre Skills and Technique Just to Hit Times and Heart Rates?

Here’s the old school approach.

20 x 100 on 1:30. Straight through. No breaks. Push through the pain. Physiology first.

Sounds tough. Sounds like proper training.

But watch what actually happens.

* First 8 reps — technique is good. Splits are consistent. Swimmers are engaged.