im 16... im in HS... im on the swim team... i just joined last year... before then i havent swam in 8 years?

A good way is running. Running keeps your heart and lungs in good condition. But You also have to make sure you have good technique. Also the thing that I do when I am at swim practice is I pick a swimmer that is slightly faster than me and stick with them all through practice no matter how tired I get trying to keep up with them. You gain endurance and well become faster soon you may be able to pass them so you will have to pick a new swimmer to "chase".

Ahh.....a good question I can answer. Swimming is mostly a gift. I will NEVER be a fast swimmer, my body isn't build streamlined. On the other hand I know a girl who can do a pool length in 3 strokes and never breathes hard. So a few things count A LOT.

1) - your build. Some people are just built to slide through the water better. If this is you, it won't matter if your buddies are out there slaving away in the pool every morning. You'll still be faster without even trying.

2) - READ the BOOK entitled "Total Immersion". Master its techniques if you can. The technique was invented in the early 1970's and now all major competitive swimmers use it. The author studied how fish swim fast and how fast swimmers swim fast. He then changed the crawl stroke and position to create a new style of swimming called "Total Immersion". If you can master the technique it will make you faster with less effort.

It really isn't how much you practice, it's how hard. If you are doing four sports, chances are you do not need the dryland and weight training you'll need if you're just a swimmer.

Anyways, to compete, you'll have to have good technique and endurance. If you can't do swimming much year round, that's fine, but try to get in the pool on the weekends if you can, mostly just to work on technique and just to stay in the water. If you don't trust your coaches' advice on technique, there are jillions of websites dedicated to it. Simply Google search "swimming technique". If you have the edge on strength and technique, that might make up for some lack of endurance you might obtain swimming yearround. Also, stick with the sprints, it takes less overall yardage to train for them.

Just work hard during the season. It doesn't matter how much you swim, it's how hard you do it. People can swim for years and years and be mediocre while others can swim for like 2 and be olympic level. If you have the strength advantage, then it will probably take you less time.

Also, to add on to the other answer, there are also Total Immersion minicamps in which they get you going on the right track. You might want to google search that too.

you just have to improve in-season. I know how you feel tho. I am a 16year old swimmer and I play 3 sports and do pre-season training. Every year I debate whether or not I should go to year round swimming but I dont ever do it. I love the other sports too much. The other kids on my team are all All-American Swimmers and most have gone to the J.O.'s multiple times. i hate that I suck so bad, but i dont have anytime to change it!

to be honest the best way to get better at swimming is to swim. Its so completely different than most sports that much of what you practice in the other 3 don't particularly carry over. If you are pressed for time, I would adivse you to try to swim once or twice a week a couple thousand yards just to keep a feel for the water.

Being strong is helpful, but you definetley need to realize you can train for years and still not be fast; it's about natural skill, talent, and ability. I have been swimming for 9 years, longer then anyone on my HS team, and I am still not the fastest or the best. I do alot of things and don't have much time for swimming either; i do musicals, i'm in a professional choir group in a nearby big-city, im in marching band, and swimming. it all adds up and takes a toll on you if you're not used to it, but like i said, you can train forever and not be the best.

well its usally good thing your doing other sports cause your inshape

(hopefully) but just when you have the time to swim work on your

technice and really focus and swim alot

youll be better in no time

use poolbouys and kickboards to strenghten your arms and legs