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Drilled Down
The use of technical drills has been a central part of teaching movement and skills. As described here, there are more considerations as...
Jun 13, 2023
Beyond The Base
One of the fundamental concepts of swimming training is the critical importance of developing a ‘base’. As the name implies, a great base...
Jun 6, 2023
OPTIMIZING Performance Part III
In previous articles we explored the impact of autonomy and expectancies on performance. To wrap up the final aspect of the OPTIMAL...
May 30, 2023
OPTIMIZING Performance Part II
In part I, we introduced the OPTIMAL theory of learning, which suggests that emphasizing autonomy, expectancies, and an external focus of...
May 23, 2023
OPTIMIZING Performance Part I
As a coach, I am always looking for different ways to view the training process, new ways to understand how performance emerges, and new...
May 16, 2023
Overload
Improvements in training come from overload followed by recovery from that overload. This process results in an adaptive change* that...
May 9, 2023
Learning to Coach
The craft of coaching requires many skillsets to be effective. Learning to coach effectively is a lifelong process that only ends when...
May 2, 2023
Going Dry Part VI- Developmental Considerations
This week’s post will be shorter in length, but no less in importance. We’ve examined the various training components and training...
Apr 25, 2023
How Are You Doing?
As the coaching profession continues to move forward, in conjunction with the expanding presence and efficacy of technology, there has...
Apr 18, 2023
Going Dry Part V- Improve Fitness, Work Capacity, and Body Composition
Once a program has established a sound plan for establishing posture and torso stability, acquiring and strengthening full range of...
Apr 11, 2023
Safety Valves
As coaches, we constantly have to make decisions about any number of training-related issue, and we often have to make these decisions in...
Apr 4, 2023
Going Dry IV- Strengthen the Muscles Required for Propulsion
Having developed a stable torso position and established appropriate range of motion through the joints, it’s time to create force. As...
Mar 28, 2023
Intentions
It’s not uncommon to see articles promising simple advice to help improve our lives, particularly with relationships. They provide...
Mar 21, 2023
Going Dry Part III- Acquire and Strengthen Required Ranges of Motion
As discussed in the introductory article, acquiring and strengthening the range of motions required for successful swimming is a primary...
Mar 14, 2023
Accountability
Accountability is critically important in any high-performance environment. While it is challenging for any one individual to meet or...
Mar 7, 2023
Going Dry Part II- Postural Alignment and Stability
As referenced in the introductory article, maintaining postural alignment and stability is the fundamental skill that supports fast...
Feb 28, 2023
Mentors
The importance of finding a good mentor is often impressed upon young coaches, and rightfully so. It can be a colossal difference maker....
Feb 21, 2023
Going Dry Part I- An Introduction
Land training for swimming is controversial. It’s under-emphasized, over-emphasized, or simply ignored. While most coaches believe it...
Feb 14, 2023
An Issue of Essence
Coaches operate in a complex environment where multiple factors interact to produce great performances. Coaches are constantly bombarded...
Feb 7, 2023
Got It?
As coaches, we try to impart some sort of wisdom or knowledge to our swimmers on a daily basis. The impact of that message will depend on...
Jan 31, 2023
Under The Sea
Dolphin kick is a stroke like all the others and must be trained as such if swimmers expect to improve their underwater ability. As...
Jan 24, 2023
Batman Vs. Superman
Batman and Superman are two of the most popular superheroes from the comic book world. Both have a strong record of fighting crime and...
Jan 17, 2023
It's Not What You See, It's What You Don't See
It's not about what you see. It's what you don't see. This is some of the best coaching advice I have ever come across. It probably...
Jan 10, 2023
Self-Serving
As coaches, one of our directives is to enhance the skillsets of the swimmers we work with. One of the critical aspects of skill...
Jan 3, 2023
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