Quick Dip: What Should I Do When a Set Feels Too Hard?

A short read for the car journey

Category: Training  | Read time: Under 2 minutes

A hard set does not mean you are doing badly. Some sets are meant to challenge your fitness, your skills or your ability to hold the pace your coach has asked for.

First, make sure you understand the set and its purpose. Then focus on one repeat or one length at a time. Think about the skill, stroke count, breathing, turns or pace your coach has asked you to hold instead of worrying about other swimmers.

If the set is difficult but you are not in pain and do not feel unwell, stay focused on the task. If you are unsure what to do or your technique keeps changing, tell your coach when you reach the wall. They can explain the set, give you a new focus or decide whether anything needs to change.

Working hard and feeling pain are not the same thing. If you feel a sharp pain, become dizzy, feel unwell or struggle to breathe in a way that feels different from normal hard swimming, stop safely and tell your coach straight away. Do not wait until the end of the set.

Completing a hard set does not mean every length must be perfect. Holding your technique for as long as you can, listening for feedback and starting the next repeat ready to try again are all useful training skills.

Ask your coach: When a set gets hard, what should I focus on first?

Created by Basingstoke Bluefins Coaching Team