200m+Event+Racing+Strategies

**Introduction:**
The 200m events are mid-distance events consisting of either 8 lengths of a 25m Short Course pool or 4 lengths of a 50m Long Course pool. There are 5 diffferent 200m events that can be swam in competition. They include the 200m Freestyle, 200m Backstroke, 200m Breastroke, 200m Butterfly, and the 200m Individual Medley. These events are considered as long sprints (similiar to a 400m track race). Pacing is increasingly more important as the event requires more stamina than the 100m and 50m events. As well, all 200m events can be swam at the Olympic Games, World Chamipionships, and other international competitions.

**200m Freestyle:**
//Strategy://
 * Unlike the 50m and 100m events, the start is not as crucial. However, a good reaction time off the starting blocks and proper streamline entry into the water can be helpful in keeping up or getting ahead of competitors at the beginning of the race.
 * After the dive, attempt to come out of the water as quickly as possible. Do not stay underwater too long off the start or off the walls because for most swimmers, underwater dolphin kick is slower than their 200m freestyle pace.
 * Throughout the swim, have a breathing pattern of 1 breath for every 2 to 3 strokes. Unlike the 100m events, a swimmer will need to breathe even more to prevent oxygen deficit since the event is longer and the pace of swimming is fast.
 * Do not breathe 5m into the walls and do not breathe on the first stroke on the breakout. The reason being is because it prevents the swimmer from losing speed going into the wall and perserves the speed gained off the pushoff.

//Pacing://
 * The first 100m of the race should be about +2.00 to +3.00 seconds off the swimmer's best 50m freestyle time.
 * The second 100m of the race should be about +2.00 to +2.50 seconds off the first 100m split time.
 * Stroke rate should be relatively high.

//Pacing Example://
 * Assume a swimmer's best time in the 100m freestyle Long Course is 00:55.00
 * The swimmer pacing range in the 200m freestyle Long Course is shown below...
 * Note the //Top 3 Times// split times to see how professional swimmers pace the 200m Freestyle.


 * **100m** || **200m** || **Total** **Time** ||
 * 00:57.00 || 00:59.00 || 01:56.00 (Maximum Possible) ||
 * 00:58.00 || 01:00.50 || 01:58.50 (Minimum) ||

//Top 3 Times in Canada Long Course (All Time)//
 * < **MALE** ||<  ||||||||||||< **FEMALE** ||
 * = **Place** ||= **Swimmer's Name** ||= **Year of Birth** ||= **100m** ||= **200m** ||= **Total Time** ||=  ||= **Place** ||= **Swimmer's Name** ||= **Year of Birth** ||= **100m** ||= **200m** ||= **Total Time** ||
 * 1 ||< Brent Hayden || 1983 || 00:51.99 || 00:54.61 ||= 01:46.40 ||  || 1 || Genevieve Saumur || 1987 || 00:57.04 || 00:59.93 ||= 01:56.97 ||
 * 2 ||< Collin Russell || 1984 || 00:52.03 || 00:54.75 ||= 01:46.58 ||  || 2 || Heather Maclean || 1992 || 00:57.51 || 00:59.69 ||= 01:57.20 ||
 * 3 ||< Rick Say || 1979 || 00:52.56 || 00:54.60 ||= 01:47.16 ||  || 3 || Stephanie Horner || 1989 || 00:57.45 || 01:00.55 ||= 01:58.00 ||

**200m Backstroke:**
//Strategy://
 * Unlike the 50m and 100m events, the start is not as crucial. However, a good reaction time off the starting blocks and proper streamline entry into the water can be helpful in keeping up or getting ahead of competitors at the beginning of the race.
 * Similar to the 50m and 100m backstroke events, having good underwater kick is advantageous in the 200m backstroke event as underwater backstroke kick for some swimmers is faster than a 200m backstroke pace. For swimmers that have a strong kick, it is advantageous to go as far underwater as legally possible (maximum of 15m). Swimmers that have weaker kick should pop out quickly.

//Pacing:media type="youtube" key="JUkV0JOGOfA" width="425" height="350" align="right"//
 * The first 100m of the race should be about +2.00 to +3.00 seconds off the swimmer's best 100m backstroke time.
 * The second 100m of the race should be about +1.50 to +2.00 seconds off the first 100m split time.
 * Stroke rate should be relatively.

//Pacing Example://
 * I will use myself for an example. In January 2011, my best time in the 100m backstroke Long Course is 01:01.00
 * My pacing range in the 100m backstroke Long Course is shown below...
 * For the video (skip to 2:00 for the race)
 * Note the //Top 3 Times// split times to see how professional swimmers pace the 200m Backstroke.


 * **100m** || **200m** || **Total** **Time** ||
 * 01:03.00 || 01:04.50 || 02:07.50 (Maximum Possible) ||
 * 01:04.00 || 01:06.00 || 02:10.00 (Minimum) ||
 * **01:03.12** || **01:05.45** || **02:08.57 (Real Time)** ||

//Top 3 Times in Canada Long Course (All Time)//
 * < **MALE** ||<  ||||||||||||< **FEMALE** ||
 * = **Place** ||= **Swimmer's Name** ||= **Year of Birth** ||= **100m** ||= **200m** ||= **Total Time** ||=  ||= **Place** ||= **Swimmer's Name** ||= **Year of Birth** ||= **100m** ||= **200m** ||= **Total Time** ||
 * 1 ||< Matt Hawes || 1986 || 00:57.73 || 00:59.61 ||= 01:57.34 ||  || 1 || Sinead Russell || 1993 || 01:02.91 || 01:05.89 ||= 02:08.80 ||
 * 2 ||< Tobias Oriwol || 1985 || 00:57.50 || 01:00.69 ||= 01:58.19 ||  || 2 || Lauren Lavinga || 1989 || 01:04.13 || 01:05.90 ||= 02:10.03 ||
 * 3 ||< Keith Beavers || 1983 || 00:57.73 || 01:00.77 ||= 01:58.50 ||  || 3 || Genevieve Cantin || 1991 || 01:04.15 || 01:06.21 ||= 02:10.36 ||

**200m Breastroke:**
//Strategy://
 * Unlike the 50m and 100m events, the start is not as crucial. However, a good reaction time off the starting blocks and proper streamline entry into the water can be helpful in keeping up or getting ahead of competitors at the beginning of the race.
 * Similar to the 50m and 100m breastroke events, after the dive ensure that no speed is lost during the pullout by keeping the body as streamline as possible and initiating each phase of the pullout when starting to slow down.

//Pacing://
 * The first 100m of the race should be about +2.00 to +3.00 seconds off the swimmer's best 100m breastroke time.
 * The second 100m of the race should be about +4.00 to +5.50 seconds off the first 100m split time.
 * Stroke rate should be relatively high.

//Pacing Example://
 * Assume a swimmer's best time in the 100m breastroke Long Course is 01:09.00
 * The swimmer pacing range in the 100m breastroke Long Course is shown below...
 * Note the //Top 3 Times// split times to see how professional swimmers pace the 100m breastroke.


 * **100m** || **200m** || **Total** **Time** ||
 * 01:11.00 || 01:15.00 || 02:26.50 (Maximum Possible) ||
 * 01:12.00 || 01:17.50 || 02:30.00 (Minimum) ||

//Top 3 Times in Canada Long Course (All Time)//
 * < **MALE** ||<  ||||||||||||< **FEMALE** ||
 * = **Place** ||< **Swimmer's Name** ||= **Year of Birth** ||= **100m** ||= **200m** ||= **Total Time** ||=  ||= **Place** ||= **Swimmer's Name** ||= **Year of Birth** ||= **100m** ||= **200m** ||= **Total Time** ||
 * 1 ||< Mike Brown || 1984 || 01:02.16 || 01:06.68 ||= 02:08.84 ||  || 1 || Annamay Pierse || 1983 || 01:07.28 || 01:12.84 ||= 02:20.12 ||
 * 2 ||< Scott Dickens || 1984 || 01:02.76 || 01:08.64 ||= 02:11.40 ||  || 2 || Martha McCabe || 1989 || 01:09.65 || 01:13.10 ||= 02:22.75 ||
 * 3 ||< Paul Kornfeld || 1987 || 01:04.60 || 01:07.12 ||= 02:11.72 ||  || 3 || Tera Van Beilen || 1993 || 01:11.18 || 01:15.60 ||= 02:26.78 ||

**200m Butterfly:**
//Strategy://
 * Unlike the 50m and 100m events, the start is not as crucial. However, a good reaction time off the starting blocks and proper streamline entry into the water can be helpful in keeping up or getting ahead of competitors at the beginning of the race.
 * Underwater proves to be more useful in the 200m buttefly than the 50m butterfly. Some swimmers are able to do underwater dolphin kick faster than swim at their 200m butterfly pace. For swimmers that have a strong kick, it is advantageous to go as far underwater as legally possible (maximum of 15m). Swimmers that have weaker kick should pop out quickly.
 * Throughout the swim, have a breathing pattern of 1 breath for every 1 to 2 strokes. Unlike the 50m and 100m events, a swimmer will need to breathe more to prevent oxygen deficit since the event is longer and the pace of swimming is fast.
 * Do not breathe 5m into the walls and do not breathe on the first stroke on the breakout. The reason being is because it prevents the swimmer from losing speed going into the wall and perserves the speed gained off the pushoff.

//Pacing://
 * The first 100m of the race should be about +2.00 to +3.00 seconds off the swimmer's best 100m buttefly time.
 * The second 100m of the race should be about +4.50 to +5.50 seconds off the first 100m split time.
 * Stroke rate should be relatively high.

//Pacing Example://
 * Assume a swimmer's best time in the 100m butterfly Long Course is 00:59.00
 * The swimmer pacing range in the 200m butterfly Long Course is shown below...
 * Note the //Top 3 Times// split times to see how professional swimmers pace the 200m butterfly.


 * **100m** || **200m** || **Total** **Time** ||
 * 01:01.00 || 01:05.50 || 02:06.50 (Maximum Possible) ||
 * 01:02.00 || 01:07.50 || 02:09.50 (Minimum) ||

//Top 3 Times in Canada Long Course (All Time)//
 * < **MALE** ||<  ||||||||||||< **FEMALE** ||
 * = **Place** ||< **Swimmer's Name** ||= **Year of Birth** ||= **100m** ||= **200m** ||= **Total Time** ||=  ||= **Place** ||= **Swimmer's Name** ||= **Year of Birth** ||= **100m** ||= **200m** ||= **Total Time** ||
 * 1 ||< Stefan Hirniak || 1985 || 00:56.60 || 01:00.41 ||= 01:57.01 ||  || 1 || Audrey Lacroix || 1983 || 01:00.60 || 01:05.35 ||= 02:05.95 ||
 * 2 ||< Adam Sioui || 1982 || 00:56.11 || 01:01.34 ||= 01:57.45 ||  || 2 || Katerine Savard || 1993 || 01:01.72 || 01:06.92 ||= 02:08.64 ||
 * 3 ||< Shamek Pietucha || 1976 || 00:56.58 || 01:01.50 ||= 01:58.08 ||  || 3 || Mackenzie Downing || 1986 || 01:01.03 || 01:07.80 ||= 02:08.83 ||

**200m Individual Medley**
//Strategy://
 * Unlike the 50m and 100m events, the start is not as crucial. However, a good reaction time off the starting blocks and proper streamline entry into the water can be helpful in keeping up or getting ahead of competitors at the beginning of the race.
 * **//Butterfly Segment://** For swimmers that have a strong kick, it is advantageous to go as far underwater as legally possible (maximum of 15m) off the starting blocks. Swimmers that have weaker kick should pop out quickly. Similar to the 200m butterfly event, keep a breathing parttern of 1 breath for every 1 to 2 strokes. Do not breathe on the first stroke of the butterfly and the last 5m into the wall.
 * **//Backstroke Segment://** For swimmers that have a strong kick, it is advantageous to go as far underwater as legally possible (maximum of 15m) off the butterfly to backstroke turn. Swimmers that have weaker kick should pop out quickly. Ensure that a suicide or bucket turn is initiated at the end of the backstroke segment.
 * **//Breastroke Segment://** //A//fter the dive ensure that no speed is lost during the pullout by keeping the body as streamline as possible and initiating each phase of the pullout when starting to slow down.
 * **//Freestyle Segment://** After the breastroke to freestyle turn, it is not recommended to go far underwater with dolphin kick because for most swimmers, the speed of the freestyle stroke is faster than underwater dolphin kick. Throughout the segment, maintain a breathing pattern of 1 breath for every 2 to 3 strokes. Do not breathe off the wall on the first stroke and do not breathe on the last 5m of the length.

//Pacing://
 * **//Butterfly Segment://** The first 50m of the race should be +0.5 to +1.5 seconds off the swimmer's best 50m butterfly time.
 * **//Backstroke Segment://** The second 50m of the race should be +4.0 to +5.0 seconds off the swimmer's best 50m backstroke time.
 * **//Breastroke Segment://** The third 50m of the race should be +5.0 to +6.0 seconds off the swimmer's best 50m breastroke time.
 * **//Freestyle Segment://** The final 50m of the race should be +4.5 to +5.5 seconds off the swimmer's best 50m freestyle time.
 * Stroke rate should be relatively high for each segment of the race.

//Pacing Example://
 * Assume a swimmer's best has best times in the following events
 * 50m Butterfly LC: 00:26.00
 * 50m Backstoke LC: 00:29.00
 * 50m Breastroke LC: 00:34.00
 * 50m Freestyle LC: 00:25.00
 * The swimmer pacing range in the 200m I.M Long Course is shown below...
 * Note the //Top 3 Times// split times to see how professional swimmers pace the 200m I.M.


 * **50m** || **100m** || **150m** || **200m** || **Total Time** ||
 * 00:26.50 || 00:31.00 || 00:39.00 || 00:29.50 || 02:06.00 (Maximum Possible) ||
 * 00:27.50 || 00:32.00 || 00:40.00 || 00:30.50 || 02:10.00 (Minimum) ||

//Top 3 Times in Canada Long Course (All Time)//
 * **MALE** ||  |||||||||||||||| **FEMALE** ||
 * = **Place** ||= **Swimmer's Name** ||= **Year of Birth** ||= **50m** ||= **100m** ||= **150m** ||= **200m** ||= **Total Time** ||=  ||= **Place** ||= **Swimmer's Name** ||= **Year of Birth** ||= **50m** ||= **100m** ||= **150m** ||= **200m** ||= **Total Time** ||
 * 1 ||< Keith Beavers || 1983 || 00:26.34 || 00:30.05 || 00:33.97 || 00:28.83 ||= 01:59.19 ||  || 1 || Erica Morningstar || 1989 || 00:28.63 || 00:33.03 || 00:37.59 || 00:31.98 ||= 02:11.23 ||
 * 2 ||< Brian Johns || 1982 || 00:25.87 || 00:30.63 || 00:34.07 || 00:28.88 ||= 01:59.45 ||  || 2 || Julia Wilkinson || 1987 || 00:28.60 || 00:32.78 || 00:38.95 || 00:30.99 ||= 02:11.32 ||
 * 3 ||< Curtis Myden || 1973 || 00:26.15 || 00:31.11 || 00:34.80 || 00:28.35 ||= 02:00.38 ||  || 3 || Marianne Limpert || 1972 || 00:28.89 || 00:33.91 || 00:39.07 || 00:31.57 ||= 02:13.44 ||