Tapering for Swimmers: Understanding Effective Rest Strategies

Question
Your last answers said a 7 day taper will not work after only 30 days of training....and you recommended that I "rest" the swimmers instead a week before the meet.  What do you define as "rest"?  How should I alter the workouts in terms of yards per day....and the rest intervals???

Answer
The reason I said a 7 day taper won't be effective after 30 days of training is that your athletes won't have a good base to taper from, you should have 5 to 6 months of that kind of training behind your athletes for a full taper(which is typically 10 to 14 days) to be effective.  Resting your athletes is just cutting down their yardage and increasing their rest intervals to give their bodies a chance to recover.  This is usually a 5 to 7 day drop in training, which includes more speed work and less distance work.  Increase their rest intervals between sets.  Resting is basically an abbreviated taper.
Hope this helps,
George