USRPT and Michael Andrew

 Michael Andrew is 16 years old, holds more than 80 age group records, went professional at age 14 with Addidas. His father is his coach, his mom is his agent, his sister is his chef.

 We met Michael and watched him swim in the Lander pool this past Thanksgiving, with Josh Davis and the Mutual of Omaha Breakout Clinic. He's training for the Olympic Trials this year and uses Dr. Brent Rushall's USRPT (Ultra Short Race Pace Training) method. It's not a new method, but using it exclusively is "controversial" and it's causing renewed interest in the training. Short yardage is tempting, but it takes intense focus, conscious intention, and discipline.

 A sample workout, done 2-3 times a day:
Warmup and drills
Set#1: 30x25 on :30, holding a goal time (i.e. 12.5 sec for 50-100 free training). Principle: You must hold goal time or faster. If you miss it, you sit out the next one. If you miss 3, the set is finished. Recovery set
Set #2: 30x25 on :30, perhaps another stroke, a different goal time, same principles. Recovery/warmdown.