Coach’s Intel: Heartland Aquatics Erik Wiken Shares His Favorite Set

Olivier Poirier-Leroy is a former national level swimmer based out of Victoria, BC. In feeding his passion for swimming, he has developed YourSwimBook, a powerful log book and goal setting guide made specifically for swimmers. Sign up for the YourSwimBook newsletter (free) and get weekly motivational tips by clicking here.

In today’s Coach’s Intel head coach Erik Wiken from Nebraska’s Heartland Aquatics shares his favorite set. Here it is:

We have a small staff so there is an overlap of coaches going back to back swimming workouts. On Tuesday’s & Thursday’s, there is a break in the action so my assistants can talk to parents from one group/get ready for the next practice. This gives me space to do sets where this group can spread out and we stay spread out while our other groups warm-up and do drills that don’t require as much space (30-45 minutes of 2-3 per lane). The expectation is :10 a part to get as straight a path through the turn as possible. Not recommended with less then :10 a part or 6+ per lane.

This set was done this past week, our 5^th week of practice. This is a small group of 12-14 year olds. We spent the first two weeks of the season working solely on technique and kick. Third and 4^th week was increasing the workload in swimming, kick intensity while still setting time aside for turns. I built this short set as a means to continue on with our increasing intensity/duration of sets with a technique and turn focus. This came after a 25 minute warm-up and short, 25 minute aerobic free set:

3 Times Through…

4 x 25 @ :35 Fly Swim

#1- Build #2-4- Fast

3 x 50 @ 1:00 Strong Swim (progress to 200IM Pace)

#1- Back

#2- 25BK/25BR (crossover turn!)

#3- BR

4 x 25 @ :35 FR Swim

#1- Fast (100Pace) #2- All Out #3&4- DPS

Round 2: 6 x 50s, 2 of each 1-2: BK 3-4: BK/BR 5-6: BR

Round 3: 9 x 50s, 3 of each 1-3: BK 4-6: BK/BR 7-9: BR

At this point, “strong swim” is approximately 200pace of stroke +:02 sec. Progressing into October the set will move to goal 200IM pace of the stroke and intervals would get tighter if they get to the point of :25 rest per 50 on the 3^rd Round. The distances/intervals are such where they can give their focus to swimming well and the room allowing them for clear turns. Intervals should be such to give :10-:15 rest on the 25s and :20 on the 50s. I don’t increase the fly because I just want the exposure to be there, not negatively influence the focus of the set which is BK/BR work or turning into garbage fly. The intervals are conservative now to allow quality at the given stage of the season. I would not go beyond :25 for the fast fly or free intervals for age groupers (keeping the DPS FR at :30-:40 seconds for active recovery).

If I were to expand this set to 400IM, it would be after the swimmer has completed the 9 x 50s @ 200IM pace successfully. Adjusting the intervals according to your group (approx. :10 rest on 25s, :15-:20 on 50s, :20 rest on the 100s) and only advance in # of 100s per round when a swimmer shows they have gotten through 3 Rounds of 3 x 100s. Then moving to Rd 2 & 3 @ 6 x 100s and finally up to the progression below:

3 Times Through…

2 x 25 @ :30 Fly Swim

#1- Build #2-Fast (200 Fly Pace)

1 x 50 @ :50 Fly Swim, 400IM Pace

3 x 100 @ #1&2- 1:40 #3-1:50, 400IM Pace

#1- Back, Negative Split!

#2- BK/BR, 50Fast/25Build/25Fast

#3- BR, Negative Split!

2 x 25 @ :25 FR Swim

#1- Quick Build #2- Fast

1 x 100 @ 2:30 FR Swim

50 ALL OUT + 50 Mod

Round 2: 6 x 100s, 2 of each 1-2: BK 3-4: BK/BR 5-6: BR

Round 3: 9 x 100s, 3 of each 1-3: BK 4-6: BK/BR 7-9: BR

About YourSwimBook

YourSwimBook is a log book and goal setting guide designed specifically for competitive swimmers. It includes a ten month log book, comprehensive goal setting section, monthly evaluations to be filled out with your coach, and more. Learn 8 more reasons why this tool kicks butt.

Team and group discounts are available for clubs. Fill out a request for a complimentary estimate by clicking here.

Join the YourSwimBook weekly newsletter group and get motivational tips and more straight to your inbox. Sign up here.