By Tommy Engelstad Pedersen, swim coach
Most swimmers look at their final time after a race. As coaches, our job is to help them understand what created it.
Split times give us something the final time cannot: a window into how the race actually unfolded. Not just what the time was — but how it came to be. This guide shows you how to read and use that information in practice.
What is a split time?
A split time is the intermediate time for a section of the race — usually per 25m or 50m, depending on the distance and meet.
For a 100m freestyle, it might look like this:
| Section | Time |
|---|---|
| 0–50m | 28.5 |
| 50–100m | 30.2 |
| Total | 58.7 |
The three patterns you see again and again
Almost every race falls into one of three patterns. Once you know them, you start recognising them the moment you see the numbers.
Positive split — the second half is slower than the first. This is the most common pattern, especially in younger swimmers. It doesn't necessarily mean the swimmer went out too hard — but it's a natural starting point for the conversation.
Negative split — the second half is faster than the first. It's rare in competition, and it doesn't automatically mean the swimmer performed optimally. It can just as easily be a sign that the opening was too conservative. Use it as a talking point: did they have more to give early on?
Even split — consistent pace throughout. The ideal in many distances, and it takes experience and self-control to execute well.
The first question you ask
Before you show the swimmer the numbers, ask one simple question:
"How did you experience the pace through the race?"
The answers tell you a lot about how well the swimmer reads their own body. Then you can connect it to the split times — and see whether the feeling and the data line up.
The best coaching conversations happen in that space between perception and data.
What should you actually look for?
A simple rule of thumb for fade:
- 0–5% slower in the second half → good control
- 5–10% slower → something to work on
- Over 10% slower → a clear area for development
Example: Emma swims 100m freestyle. First 50m: 28.5. Second 50m: 31.5. That's a fade of around 10.5% — a clear signal that either the opening was too aggressive, or the capacity to hold pace under pressure needs building.
Beyond fade, look for:
Is the middle section consistent? For 200m and above, it's easy to focus on the start and finish — but it's often in the middle where races are quietly won or lost.
Does the last 25m stand out sharply? A steep drop on the very last length can point to technique breaking down under pressure, not just fitness.
From data to conversation
Split times are not an evaluation tool — they're a conversation tool. Once you've looked at the numbers, keep it simple:
- Ask one open question about the experience
- Show two or three key numbers (not all of them at once)
- Connect feeling and data
- Give one concrete thing to work on going forward
That's enough. A conversation with one clear direction is far more valuable than a complete analysis the swimmer won't remember afterwards.
What do you do with the data in training?
Let's say Emma has a clear fade of 10%+ in the 100m freestyle. What does that mean for next week's training?
It's worth looking at two things: whether she goes out too hard (a pacing problem) or whether she simply lacks the capacity to hold pace under pressure (a fitness problem). The difference matters, because the solutions are different.
A good starting point: build in short pace sets in the next session, with the focus on the last rep feeling as controlled as the first. Not sprint — controlled effort, multiple repetitions.
When you have many swimmers and little time
In a busy week with lots of races, lots of swimmers, and little time between sessions, it's hard to analyse split times thoroughly for everyone. That's where tools can help — not to replace the conversation, but to make it easier to spot patterns quickly.
RaceForge is SwimForge's analysis tool for exactly this. It visualises split times, calculates fade automatically, and helps you identify who in the group has the most room to develop — so you can spend your coaching time where it matters most.
In short
Split times are not a verdict — they're a starting point. Used well, they lead to better conversations, more targeted training, and swimmers who understand their races more deeply.
Start simple: one pattern, one question, one thing to work on. That's more than enough after a meet.
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