Last Updated on October 30, 2022 by admin
In this article, we’ll provide insights, hacks & tips on how to correctly use a swimming stopwatch, and how to record key training and competition information.
- Stopwatches are an essential piece of a swimming coach’s kit.
- They accurately time of swimmers during training and competition.
- Being able to use a swimming stopwatch (or two) and to be able to accurately record individual or multiple swimmers, are key coaching skills.
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Essential swimming stopwatch functions
There are many different types of swimming stopwatches available.
- Most have multiple functions and most are generally easy to operate.
- However, it’s best to read the instructions before use.
- Practice using the key functions during training, to ensure competent use during competition.
- Although a basic stopwatch is fine for recording training times and some splits.
- They usually only have a single display line, making it difficult to record and recall multiple splits, during a competition.
- A good swimming stopwatch ideally needs to have a multi-line display.
- The following functions, help the coach record key training and performance information.
Lap split function
A lap split function records individual lap times during a swim.
- An important measure for reviewing the overall pacing of a swim.
Cumulative split function
A cumulative split function records the total elapsed time from the beginning of a swim.
- Some coaches find this useful for reviewing the overall pacing of a swim.
Recall button
A recall button will display both the lap and cumulative splits.
- This is an important swimming stopwatch function, which enables the coach to easily record or quickly feedback the information to the swimmer.
Large lap memory
The amount of split and other information a swimming stopwatch can store and retrieve, is down to the size of its memory.
- Generally, the larger the memory the better quality of the stopwatch.
Stroke rate calculator function
A stroke rate calculator function measures the number of strokes the swimmer performs in a minute. This is an important function for measuring a swimmer’s speed. (see below)
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We recommended and I personally use a FINIS 3×100 Memory Stopwatch, which I find very reasonably priced, easy to use and very reliable.
- 100 dual-split memory with the ability to review both cumulative and lap splits
- Clearly displays cumulative running time and current lap running time
- Automatically calculates stroke/stride rate. Programmed for every 3rd stroke/stride.
- 1, 2 Fast Finish: Displays the 1st and 2nd place times in the same view
- Measures up to 10 hours by 1/100th second
Using a stopwatch during training
Using a stopwatch during training not only enables the coach to record a swimmer’s progress but also informs the coach regarding lane discipline.
For example, are the swimmers
- Keeping to their correct training set and repeat times?
- Taking the correct amount of rest, between sets and repeats?
The use of a stopwatch during training should be used for those activities that require precise and accurate measurement. Such as:
Starts
To test the effectiveness of a swimmer’s racing start, a coach should record a swimmer’s racing start speed.
How to test the swimmer’s racing start speed
- The coach should stand on the poolside/deck at 15m from the starting block end of the pool, where a marker will be placed.
- The swimmer will then perform a racing start.
- As the swimmer passes the marker with their head, the coach should stop their stopwatch and record the result.
- The coach should give the swimmer feedback, regarding the time achieved, any technical adjustments that may be needed and praise the good things about their start.
Turns
How to test the effectiveness of a swimmer’s racing turn
- The swimmer starts this drill in the water, from the middle of the pool of a 25m pool. (or 12.5m from the pool end for a 50m pool)
- The coach should stand on the poolside/deck, 10m away from the ‘turning’ end of the pool.
- A marker should be placed on the poolside/deck with the coach at 10m, and a sinker should be placed on the pool bottom, also at 10m.
- The swimmer starts this drill by swimming at a 50m race pace.
- Once they have passed the marker at 10m going into their turn, with their head, the coach should start their stopwatch.
- The swimmer then performs a racing turn,
- Once the swimmer has performed their turn, they should start to swim back to the middle of the pool, still swimming at a 50m race pace.
- Once the swimmer’s head passes the 10m marker on their return, the coach should then stop the stopwatch and record the result.
- The coach should give the swimmer feedback, regarding the time achieved, any technical adjustments that may be needed and praise the good things about their turn.
Stroke Rate
Most good swimming stopwatches have a function for recording a swimmer’s stroke rate.
- A swimmer’s stroke rate is usually recorded in the middle of each length/lap
- This is to ensure the consistency of recording and that the stroke rate is not adversely affected by the increase in speed of the swimmer, coming out of or going into a turn.
To measure the stroke rate for freestyle and backstroke
Start the stopwatch as the swimmer’s left-hand fingertips enter the water.
- Once the swimmer has completed three complete stroke cycles (a left-arm stroke and a right-arm stroke = an arm cycle) stop the stopwatch as the left-hand fingertips enter the water for the 4th time.
To measure the stroke rate for butterfly
Start the stopwatch as the fingertips enter the water as it recovers from the previous stroke.
- Once the swimmer has completed three complete strokes, stop the stopwatch as the fingertips enter during the 4th stroke.
To measure the stroke rate for breaststroke
Start the stopwatch as the arms become fully extended and the hands come together at the end of the previous stroke.
- Stop the stopwatch as the arms become fully extended and the hands come together at the beginning of the 4th stroke.
- The stopwatch displays the number of strokes the swimmer would complete in one minute if they continued to swim at the same stroke rate as recorded.
Related articles on stroke count and stroke rate
We have produced related articles, on both how to use stroke count and stroke rate and stroke count and stroke rate drills. You can view it by clicking these links: how to use stroke count and stroke rate | stroke count and stroke rate drills.
Test Sets
As swimmers mature training test sets become an increasingly important method for monitoring their ongoing fitness and development toward their swimming goals.
Related article on swimming training test sets
We have produced a related article providing on swimming test sets. You can view it by clicking this link: swimming test sets
- There are many types of training test sets, designed to monitor a variety of aspects of a swimmer’s ongoing performance.
- These include aerobic fitness tests, aerobic speed tests, distance swimming tests, kicking tests, lactate acid tolerance tests, race pace tests, sprint tests, etc.
- As well as provided valuable ongoing performance information to both the coach and the swimmer.
- Test sets are also a valuable opportunity to practice your competition stopwatch skills.
Recording multiple swimmers in a lane
To accurately record multiple swimmers in a lane, the coach will ideally need two stopwatches, and a pen and paper.
For example, a lane of swimmers performing a training set of multiple 200m freestyle.
- Before starting the set, the coach should ensure that all the swimmers set off at regular intervals of 5 to 10-seconds.
- As the lead swimmer starts the first repeat, the coach starts the first stopwatch. As the swimmer completes the first repeat, the coach should press the lap button. The coach should continue to repeatedly press the lap button as every other swimmer in the lane completes the repeat.
- The coach should record this information, while not forgetting to adjust each swimmer’s time according to the times of their intervals. For example: Lead swimmer = lap time +0 seconds, 2nd swimmer = lap time + 5/10 seconds, 3rd swimmer = lap times + 10/20 etc.
- Sometimes the last swimmer in the lane hasn’t finished the first repeat before the lead swimmer needs to start the next repeat. When this situation occurs, the coach should use a second stopwatch. Repeat the same process as for the first set (see above).
- While the swimmers are in the process of swimming their second repeat, the coach should record the times for the first set and reset the first stopwatch ready for use on the next repeat.
- The coach should use this two stopwatches method for the rest of the set.
- On the completion of the set, the coach should give the swimmers feedback, regarding their times achieved, any technical adjustments that may be needed and praise for their efforts.
Recording multiple swimmers in different lanes
Recording multiple swimmers in different lanes can be problematic.
Multiple swimmers swimming the same set
If all lanes are swimming the same set, on the same repeat times, it’s possible to time them, but it may be very difficult to record.
- In this case, coaches usually shout out the times as the individual swimmers complete the set.
- Then they rely on the swimmers to remember their repeat times and feed them back to the coach at the end of the set.
Multiple swimmers swimming different sets
If some lanes are swimming in different sets, then by using two stopwatches it’s possible to time two separate lanes.
- However, this can become difficult if the last swimmer in a lane hasn’t finished the first repeat, before the lead swimmer needs to start the next repeat.
Multiple swimmers swimming different sets off the same time
Some coaches get around the problem of trying to record multiple swimmers in different lanes, by devising sets where the swimmers all have the same set repeat times.
- For example: A senior lane set = 5 x 100m breaststroke on 1.30, an intermediate lane set = 5 x 100m backstroke on 1.30 and a junior lane set = 5 x 100m freestyle on 1.30.
Using the pace clock
A solution preferred by some coaches is to rely on swimmers to time their own swims using the pace clock.
- Some coaches make a chinagraph pencil and waterproof memo board available for each lane. These are a tried and tested method of keeping poolside/deck notes waterproof.
- Some coaches prefer mixing their options, by timing and recording of one particular lane and relying on the swimmers in the remaining lanes to time their own swims using the pace clock.
Related article on how a swimming pace clock
We have produced a related article providing advice, hacks, tips and examples, on how to best use a swimming pace clock, to help improve swimming performance. You can view it by clicking this link: swimming pace clock
Getting some assistance
The best and simplest solution is to get some help. If you are lucky enough to have a coaching assistant, then the problem is solved.
- In my experience some swimming parents, are only too willing to help, some may even be qualified pool officials and can be a great help.
Recording an individual swimmer during competition
Recording an individual swimmer during competition is often more than just recording their race time. That’s the job of the timekeeper.
- Coaches should use their stopwatches to record the individual swimmer’s lap/length splits and possibly their stroke rate.
- However, throughout the season, some swimmers focus on many different competitive objectives to enable them to achieve their swimming goals.
- This often requires the coach to provide some precise information about their swimming performance, such as.
- How fast was their start?
- How effective were their turns?
Recording multiple swimmers during competition
Sometimes two swimmers from the same club swim in the same heat/final. In this case, if there’s no help available, it’s possible to use two stopwatches to record their individual splits.
- Having a swimming wristwatch with a stopwatch function can be a very useful backup.
- Especially when on those occasions you need to record more than two swimmers, but only have two stopwatches.
Takeaways
Stopwatches are an essential piece of a swimming coach’s kit. Being able to competently use a swimming stopwatch (or two) is a key swimming coaching skill.
- A good swimming stopwatch ideally needs to have a multi-line display and some key functions.
- This helps a coach record key training and performance information.
- There are many different types of swimming stopwatches available and are generally easy to operate.
- However, it’s best to read the instructions before use.
- Practice using the functions during training, to ensure competent use during competition.
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The Competitive Swimming Exchange – Facebook Group
The Competitive Swimming Exchange is a Facebook group to help exchange ideas and information to collectively improve the sport we love.
- It’s an international group for all swimmers, coaches, teachers, masters, triathletes and swimming parents.
- In fact, it’s for all those who are interested in competitive swimming, either in the pool or in open water.
For more information about joining this group please use the following link: The Competitive Swimming Exchange
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