Quick Dip: Why Is the Competition Warm-Up Important?
Updated: Sep 25
A short read for the car journey
Category: Meet Preparation | Read time: Under 2 minutes
A competition warm-up prepares you for your races and gives you time to get used to the pool.
Notice the pool markings and practise judging your approach to the walls. Even a pool of the same length can feel unfamiliar.
Follow the meet’s warm-up instructions, including lane direction and where faster swimming is allowed. Only practise dive starts when the meet staff have opened a designated start lane. Follow their instructions and wait until it is clear and safe to go.
Build up gradually. Drills focus on a skill and changes of pace prepare you to swim faster.
Here is the County Development example from the Bluefins Race Day guide for races up to 400m:
100m – 200m easy swimming.
200m across the four strokes, alternating 25m drill and 25m swimming, with a focus on your kick.
4 × 50m front crawl with changes of pace and 20 seconds’ rest between each 50m.
100m on your main stroke, alternating 25m drill and 25m swimming.
100m front crawl or your main stroke, concentrating on your best technique.
That adds up to 700–800m.
Use familiar drills and carry their focus into the swimming lengths.
This is an example, not a distance you must complete at every meet. Your coach may adapt it to your events, the time available and how crowded the pool is.
Ask your coach: Which skill should I carry from my drill into my swimming?
Created by Basingstoke Bluefins Coaching Team
