The idea of a Christmas Camp versus a Christmas Break should really be a hot topic. After all, it's a pretty clear tradeoff: use the holidays to train swimmers extra hard; or give swimmers a rest and a chance to enjoy the holidays with their family. Unfortunately, it's not a hot topic. In fact, it… Continue reading Christmas Camp versus Christmas Break
Tag: coaching
Some Honest New Year’s Resolutions for Swimmers and Coaches
The problem with most (all?) New Year's Resolutions is that they tend to be forced, vague and impractical. As an example, Get Fit is a common one, and so in early January we see gyms and pools filled with eager and resolute individuals. And as little as 2 weeks later we're back to the same… Continue reading Some Honest New Year’s Resolutions for Swimmers and Coaches
5 Swim Training Tips for Triathletes
At the request of a friend / triathlon coach, I'm writing with my thoughts on how triathletes could improve their swim training. (Thanks Mark!) I should point out that I am not a triathlon coach. I've coached quite a few competitive swimmers who have also been triathletes. I've trained with triathletes in Masters swimming. And… Continue reading 5 Swim Training Tips for Triathletes
The End of the Breaststroke Pullout?
I really don't think I'm overstating this. The breaststroke pullout may be going the way of the dodo bird. On Nov. 29, 2014, FINA issued a ruling (here), in which they change the allowable use of a single dolphin kick following starts and turns. The old version of rule SW 7.1 stated After the… Continue reading The End of the Breaststroke Pullout?
Swimming By the Numbers: Elite Men’s 400 Freestyle Strategies
This is a continuation of my series on how the elite swim various races. In my last instalment in this series I analyzed the women's 400 Free. There is no question that the 400 is a distance-oriented race, and so we can expect distance-oriented strategies. The purpose of this analysis is to determine which strategies… Continue reading Swimming By the Numbers: Elite Men’s 400 Freestyle Strategies
Is Russia the New East Germany?
A few days ago a bombshell exploded in the sporting world. On Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014, German broadcaster ARD aired a segment called "Top-secret Doping Dossier: How Russia produces it's Winners". It included a tremendous amount of evidence and on-camera testimony from Russian officials, coaches and athletes on massive and systemic doping, coverups and corruption… Continue reading Is Russia the New East Germany?
Swimming By the Numbers: Women’s Elite 400 Freestyle Strategies
This is a continuation of my series on how the elite swim various races. In previous posts, I've analyzed all of the 200 races. There is no question that the 400 is a distance-oriented race, and so we can expect distance-oriented strategies. The purpose of this analysis is to determine which strategies are used by… Continue reading Swimming By the Numbers: Women’s Elite 400 Freestyle Strategies
Open or Closed Fingers? A Review
Recently the question of closed versus open fingers came up on the Facebook Swim Coaches group (what an incredible collection of coaching minds!), and it amazed me as to the diversity of opinion on what I thought was more or less a closed question. So I went looking to not only find out the present… Continue reading Open or Closed Fingers? A Review
More Than You Want to Know About the New Backstroke Start Wedge
More Than You Want to Know About the New Backstroke Start Wedge In keeping with my "More Than You Want to Know" series, I'm including some backstroke and backstroke start history. But take a look, there's some fascinating stuff and some really old Olympic backstroke videos. After that we'll discuss the new backstroke starting systems.… Continue reading More Than You Want to Know About the New Backstroke Start Wedge
Funniest Things Heard on a Pool Deck
Every once in a while, we have to remind ourselves that swimming has its lighter moments. Please feel free to add your own funny stories in the comments. At a Practice Coach: It's supposed to be kick. Why are you doing breaststroke? Swimmer: Because I'm trying to improve my sculling. Coach: ... Coach: I'm… Continue reading Funniest Things Heard on a Pool Deck
Coach Rick - Mighty Tritons Swimming 