The Facebook Swim Coaches forum was particularly busy today, and I saw comments in two different conversations that were both powerful, but together they made me realize something new. The first included a quote from the incredible University of Texas Coach Eddie Reese, in an interview with Coach Jeff Grace. "Everyone wants me to talk… Continue reading Coach and Fun / Motivation
Tag: Tritons
The Complicated Issues Involving Weed and Swimming
I have to admit, my thinking on the subject of legalizing weed has done a complete reversal over the last few years. I was initially and emphatically against the legalization of weed for one very simple reason. I was worried that teenagers would equate legalization with safety. However, as I learned more about the societal… Continue reading The Complicated Issues Involving Weed and Swimming
Stop Watching the Stopwatch!
Recently, a coach put out a request on a Facebook Swim Coaches Forum for the top features coaches want from a stopwatch application, presumably on a smart phone or tablet. Which got me thinking about how I learned to properly use a stopwatch. Now, experienced coaches will already know all of this stuff below. But… Continue reading Stop Watching the Stopwatch!
The Flop Turn: Just As Fast and Lochte-Rule Legal
I've been hearing a lot of discontent lately from coaches about how swimmers are getting disqualified in the freestyle legs of IMs and Medley Relays due to the "Lochte Rule". I understand their frustration as many, many, many coaches only know the traditional flip turn. But there are alternative! This rule got its name when… Continue reading The Flop Turn: Just As Fast and Lochte-Rule Legal
We Need a Saner Approach to Swim Meets
This may be heresy, but the prevailing swim meet system in most major swimming areas is horribly broken. Swim meets are now expected to consume a weekend - from Friday afternoon or evening sessions to late Sunday sessions. A session itself can take 6 hours, the presence of rules that try to limit the session… Continue reading We Need a Saner Approach to Swim Meets
Abuse Policy Conversation with John Vadeika, Executive Director of Swim Ontario
Over the last few months, there have been some explosive revelations of sexual abuse of athletes and organizational coverups coming out of USA Gymnastics, USA Swimming, USA Volleyball, and other sports. Even a cursory review of those situations provides lessons on how we can improve our oversight and remove conflicts of interest. (If you want… Continue reading Abuse Policy Conversation with John Vadeika, Executive Director of Swim Ontario
Swimming is NOT a Non-Contact Sport
One of the more ironic aspects of swimming is that people who only see swimming on TV, and usually only once every 4 years at that, all think of swimming as the ultimate non-contact sport. They only see swimmers racing in their own wide lanes, with the only contact being an occasional hug or handshake… Continue reading Swimming is NOT a Non-Contact Sport
Far Too Many Types of Pre-Race Talks
I'm always intrigued by how age group swimmers handle pre-race talks. Our standard procedure is that each swimmer comes to see me before the race, and we talk about race strategy, breathing strategy and general level of race aggression. And then after the race, they'd come back and we'd see how those strategies worked out,… Continue reading Far Too Many Types of Pre-Race Talks
Tips On How Not To Lose Count In A Distance Swim
Miscounting is one of those things that swimmers and coaches both hate in a practice (especially coaches!) But miscounting in a meet is guaranteed to get you a comment from pretty much every person you've ever known ... and some you don't. It's still very early in our season here, and I'm already seeing a… Continue reading Tips On How Not To Lose Count In A Distance Swim
Taking A Knee
Silent, non-violent protests during the US national anthem at professional sporting events have now reached the public's attention. And everyone seems to have either a strong opinion, or a VERY strong opinion. As the head coach of a sports team, I need to be aware of, and prepared for, somebody on our team following this… Continue reading Taking A Knee
Coach Rick - Mighty Tritons Swimming 