I want to join my High School Swim Team but need help...

Question

I am currently 16 years old and going into my senior year in high school. I enjoy swimming and I am a relatively good swimmer without any real coaching/competitive experiance.

First off, is it to late to really get in to swimming?

Next, if not, what can I do to help get ready for tryouts/what exercises can I do out of the water to help my stamina/strength

Also, I plan to swim primarily freestyle, so any and all tips would be greatly appreciated

Answer 1

No. I don't think it's too late to start swimming for your high school, but don't expect to get olympic times.

Some things I like to do:

Underwater kicking- Go in the deep end and start to tread water. Now, do the freestyle kick. Put your hands on your sides, crossed over your chest, and above your head. Do this with breaststroke kick and butterfly kick.

Varsity Sprints- Do 4x25s

First 25- sprint to the black line, easy to the wall

Second 25- easy to the black line, sprint to the wall

Third 25- easy out of the flags, sprint within the flags

Fourth 25- sprint full

OR

First 25- no breaths to the black line, easy to the wall

Second 25- easy to the black line, no breaths to the wall

Third 25- no breaths within the flags

Fourth 25- no breaths in the entire 25

These are for IM, but whatever.

A 50--> to the black line- butterfly, to the wall--> backstroke, to the next black line--> breast stroke, to the wall--> freestyle

This also works the hardest turn in the IM-- backstroke to breast stroke.

I would definitely also practice flip turns, starts, and finishes because as you can see in the olympics, they can make or break your event.

Good luck!!

Answer 2

Well, if you only have a year left, you could start, but don't count on becoming a state champion or anything.  You would get a lot out of it.  If try outs are soon, just get in the water asap and swim some intense sets.  If you just google "swim workouts", you should find some good ones.