Race tactics for the 200 fly event

The 200 butterfly is a 200 race like any other, so all the suggestions for this type of events apply here too. But swimmers and coaches alike know that this race has something special about it. Swimming a good 200 fly requires aerobic speed that can be maintained, which requires that you'll focus on this type of training. Some additional tips for the 200 fly race are the following:

• Use relaxed speed for the first 100m - comfortable, relaxed, long, and easy. Swimmers want to hit the midway point feeling good and ready to go full tilt to the finish. If they are already tired at the 100, it's going to be a long and difficult race.
• Hit the legs hard coming of the 100 wall for both body position and power.
• Finish the race with three things in mind: race tempos, strong legs out the back of the stroke, and one up, one down breathing pattern. With these in the swimmer's favor, he maintains his speed while others struggle.
• Swim with a racing stroke, not a survival stroke. This is mostly in the mind. If swimmers consider the 200 fly a distance race, they will flounder through it with a survival stroke. If they approach it as a two minutes race, they will race it.

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