I'll start off with the teaser. Existing one-size-fits-all course conversion rates are not remotely accurate, especially for backstroke, and there exists a sizable difference in accurate conversion rates between men and women. Finally, any swim governing body that uses a single, artificially low conversion rate is doing a great disservice to its members. Now, on… Continue reading Swimming By the Numbers: The Unfairness of Short Course – Long Course Conversion Rates, especially for Backstrokers!
Category: Coaching
Anything related to the profession of coaching that I care enough to comment upon.
Faster, Better, Stronger Swimmers?
In March 2014, David Epstein, a sports science reporter, gave a brilliant TED talk, "Are athletes really getting faster, better, stronger?", in which he explores some of the principal reasons behind the assault on the record books. I strongly advise you watch it. It's just under 15 minutes, and you can find it here .… Continue reading Faster, Better, Stronger Swimmers?
Why Swimmers Need to Be On Time and Ready For Practice
Swimmers need to be on time for practices and meets, and ready to swim when they get there. Coaches have been telling swimmers this ever since swim practices started. In fact, it's so obvious its a truism. So there isn't much that bothers a coach more than swimmers who are repeatedly late for practice for… Continue reading Why Swimmers Need to Be On Time and Ready For Practice
Should Swim Practices be Open or Closed to Spectators?
I was following an online forum discussion among swim coaches about whether practices should be open or closed, and I was surprised at the diversity of opinion. It reminded me that coaching is not just about training swimmers, but requires a lot of interpersonal skills supplemented with education and experience. Closed Practices I was a… Continue reading Should Swim Practices be Open or Closed to Spectators?
The Case Against KickBoards
There are few pieces of swim equipment that seem are more synonymous with swimming than a kickboard. Perhaps goggles. But kickboards have actually been around longer, about 20 years longer, as they were first introduced as a swim aid in the late 1940s. So what do kickboards accomplish, and why do swimmers like them? Technically,… Continue reading The Case Against KickBoards
More Than You Want to Know About Swim Goggles
There is perhaps nothing more closely associated with swimming than a bathing suit and goggles. But what many people may not realize is that this is only a recent thing. The first time someone wore goggles in an international swim meet was only in 1970. Goggles for practice only showed up around 1968. But once… Continue reading More Than You Want to Know About Swim Goggles
Is Meet-Free March a Good Idea?
Ontario and a few other provinces have a policy of no swim meets in March, other than possibly provincial championships at the very start of the month. The reasons come from the nature of swimming in Canada. Most teams in Canada train in a short course (25 metre or even 25 yard) pool. This leads… Continue reading Is Meet-Free March a Good Idea?
The Athlete-Coach Debriefings after Competition
I just came back from watching the Canadian Wrestling Championships, and the wrestling was fantastic. But I have to admit I also spent quite a bit of time watching the country's top coaches interact with their athletes after matches. Now, I should point out that wrestling and swimming are about as different as you can… Continue reading The Athlete-Coach Debriefings after Competition
Guest Blog – Nutrient Fuelling For Swimmers
I've asked our team's Sports Nutritionist (also my son) of iMadgen Nutrition to guest post an article on nutrient fuelling. For more information on his credentials or his company, please feel free to check out iMadgenNutrition.ca . Also be sure to check out Kevin's free ebook offer, which includes a recipe for a no-bake nutrition… Continue reading Guest Blog – Nutrient Fuelling For Swimmers
Overtraining: One of the Perils of Training
If you've been involved in swimming for long enough you'll have seen it, or possibly even experienced it. Overtraining. At best, it usually means the end of any training for many months. At worst, it can bring on injuries and a negative attitude that can end a career. And yet despite how bad it can… Continue reading Overtraining: One of the Perils of Training
Coach Rick - Mighty Tritons Swimming 