Week 4 began with 41 swimmers and another chance to make a difference.
Sunday night began with Streamline work, ready position, and the break out.
Monday brought a great day of Freestyle and a fun relay at the end.
This is an energetic bunch and will be a lot of fun.
The changes that have taken place already are amazing.
More tomorrow.
Coach Scott
Monday, June 23, 2014
Week 3 wraps up
Week 3 came to a close last Friday in fine fashion.
We reviewed all the strokes and had a bit of fun along the way.
It was the first time all week that the camp was 100% attentive during a session (maybe because of the large number of parents watching).
All in all it was a great week.
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We reviewed all the strokes and had a bit of fun along the way.
It was the first time all week that the camp was 100% attentive during a session (maybe because of the large number of parents watching).
All in all it was a great week.
Coach Scott
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Butterfly, a smile, and a piece of pizza.
Today was Butterfly day at Cal U Swim Camp.
The message was simple...Don't hate Fly.
Most swimmers hate fly because of poor technique or poor coaching. It is true. To many coaches feel the need to train fly to such a degree that student-athletes do not swim Butterfly...they try to Survive swimming Fly.
A very detailed classroom session lead to 3 great pool session lead by Coach Nikki, Coach Ray and myself.
Some great strides were made and by the end of the day there were a lot of smiles.
I am so impressed by the work done today. It was funny, I mentioned a success story from last week and it was funny that the campers knew who I was talking about. PA swimming is a small world.
The last night brought a pizza party in the day room and a piece of pizza for Coach Scott.
Tomorrow we wrap things up and for me I am off the WV to enjoy some downtime with my Fraternity brothers.
Coach Scott
The message was simple...Don't hate Fly.
Most swimmers hate fly because of poor technique or poor coaching. It is true. To many coaches feel the need to train fly to such a degree that student-athletes do not swim Butterfly...they try to Survive swimming Fly.
A very detailed classroom session lead to 3 great pool session lead by Coach Nikki, Coach Ray and myself.
Some great strides were made and by the end of the day there were a lot of smiles.
I am so impressed by the work done today. It was funny, I mentioned a success story from last week and it was funny that the campers knew who I was talking about. PA swimming is a small world.
The last night brought a pizza party in the day room and a piece of pizza for Coach Scott.
Tomorrow we wrap things up and for me I am off the WV to enjoy some downtime with my Fraternity brothers.
Coach Scott
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Backstroke, Breaststroke and DQ!
Tuesday and Wednesday typically blend together at Cal U Swim Camp.
We have spent a great amount of time on Backstroke and Breaststroke over the last 2 days. It is great watching the campers pick up the subtle changes that the coaches ask them to make. This group is very spirited and a joy to work with. There is a wide variety of ages in this group and they are a lot of fun.
With Monday and Tuesday devoted to Long Axis strokes it was fun to get to work on Short Axis strokes. Some of the best Breaststroke Pullouts I have seen happened in the pool today. I really think that the Power Point class room sessions have helped to make the material easier to digest. Watching these swimmers takes notes is inspiring.
For the first time of the summer the camp was able to travel to DQ for ice cream and is now watching We Bought a Zoo.
Tomorrow is Fly and the last full day of camp. A lot to still do over the course of the next day and a half.
Coach Scott
We have spent a great amount of time on Backstroke and Breaststroke over the last 2 days. It is great watching the campers pick up the subtle changes that the coaches ask them to make. This group is very spirited and a joy to work with. There is a wide variety of ages in this group and they are a lot of fun.
With Monday and Tuesday devoted to Long Axis strokes it was fun to get to work on Short Axis strokes. Some of the best Breaststroke Pullouts I have seen happened in the pool today. I really think that the Power Point class room sessions have helped to make the material easier to digest. Watching these swimmers takes notes is inspiring.
For the first time of the summer the camp was able to travel to DQ for ice cream and is now watching We Bought a Zoo.
Tomorrow is Fly and the last full day of camp. A lot to still do over the course of the next day and a half.
Coach Scott
Monday, June 16, 2014
The Beginning of Week 3 and Freestyle Day!
Wow...the last 29 hours have flown by. Week 3 started out with 39 campers learning Ready Position, Streamlining, and the Breakout. This is a very "spirited" group with a lot of skill. Each week has been unique in itself and Week 3 is no different.
We started today with a great classroom session and a lot of great interaction on Freestyle. 32 swimmers raised their hands when I asked if anyone had learned anything new during the lecture. That makes me feel really good in the sense that Smart Swimming is being understood. 3 great pool sessions wrapped up Freestyle along with an afternoon session discussing the "Swimmer Profile".
This groups has a lot of spirit and potential it will be a very exciting week! Changing old bad habits to new good habits is always a fun challenge. The goal is Smart Swimming...which will lead to Fast Swimming in the end.
Every group is different, every group is special. It was funny that during the day every coach mentioned that something was different this week. Each coach mentioned that things seemed like someone was missing. We had a very respectful and gentlemanly swimmer last week that was so polite and held every door for every camper. He was great to work with in the water too. A big CAL U Swim Camp shout out to Leif!
Good Night from CAL U!
Coach Scott
We started today with a great classroom session and a lot of great interaction on Freestyle. 32 swimmers raised their hands when I asked if anyone had learned anything new during the lecture. That makes me feel really good in the sense that Smart Swimming is being understood. 3 great pool sessions wrapped up Freestyle along with an afternoon session discussing the "Swimmer Profile".
This groups has a lot of spirit and potential it will be a very exciting week! Changing old bad habits to new good habits is always a fun challenge. The goal is Smart Swimming...which will lead to Fast Swimming in the end.
Every group is different, every group is special. It was funny that during the day every coach mentioned that something was different this week. Each coach mentioned that things seemed like someone was missing. We had a very respectful and gentlemanly swimmer last week that was so polite and held every door for every camper. He was great to work with in the water too. A big CAL U Swim Camp shout out to Leif!
Good Night from CAL U!
Coach Scott
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Week 2 comes to an end...a look back...
Week 2 came to a close yesterday with a great session of turns and stroke review.
This was another great week of what CAL U camp does best. Teaching swimmers to swim smart. We had a very knowledgeable staff that worked with an incredibly skilled group of swimmers. The weather was very interesting as we had sun and rain sometimes within minutes of eachother...
In the end 38 swimmers left better than how they came in 5 days before. As I said when I addressed the parents..."Be your child's number 1 fan!"
Half way through CAL U camp 2014.
Enjoying the time to recharge the batteries for Week 3.
Any questions or comment please fee free to email me. swhunsinger@yahoo.com
Coach Scott
Friday, June 13, 2014
Butterfly and making a difference...
The great thing about camp is that you have countless chances to make a difference to each swimmer. They all come to camp needing something. From an adjustment on their outlook on the sport, to work on Streamlining, maybe major change in one of their strokes, to something as important as having a 2 beat kick in Butterfly.
The amazing thing is when they make the change right in front of your eyes. This week it has happened every day, but on Thursday a couple of swimmers made huge strides forward. One swimmer improved their entire Butterfly from top to bottom and start to finish. Basically a total over haul of their stroke. It was truly incredible to watch. Another swimmer came to camp very skilled and very accomplished. The one thing lacking was a 2 beat kick for their fly. It is pretty simple, you need to kick when the hands enter the water and again when they exit the water. This swimmer just had a kick at the top and not at the bottom. They had a very good fly but by adding that second kick you be on the road to something amazing. Every swimmer is different but I really believe that they are the most coach-able athletes that there are in any sport. I explained that there needed to be a kick at the top and at the bottom. Slowly but surely this young and up and coming swimmer added the second kick. It was really cool watching this good Fly become something that will really make an impact on the swimmers future. By the end of the day they had it! When I asked the swimmer how it felt, they replied "Fast". Now the true test will be taking this back home and making it a daily good habit. If that happens look out, great things are gonna happen.
Our swimmers ask such great questions and give such great answers. "Students of the sport" I told them.
Each swimmer will leave better than when they arrived on Sunday. Thanks to their work and effort, I will leave having gained more experience in making a difference. Miracles don't happen every day and not every swimmer has a break through moment but on Thursday great things happened at CAL U Swim Camp. Then again those things happen every year and that makes everything we do as coaches so worth it.
The last session of the last day of Week 2 is just 15 minutes away...
Coach Scott
The amazing thing is when they make the change right in front of your eyes. This week it has happened every day, but on Thursday a couple of swimmers made huge strides forward. One swimmer improved their entire Butterfly from top to bottom and start to finish. Basically a total over haul of their stroke. It was truly incredible to watch. Another swimmer came to camp very skilled and very accomplished. The one thing lacking was a 2 beat kick for their fly. It is pretty simple, you need to kick when the hands enter the water and again when they exit the water. This swimmer just had a kick at the top and not at the bottom. They had a very good fly but by adding that second kick you be on the road to something amazing. Every swimmer is different but I really believe that they are the most coach-able athletes that there are in any sport. I explained that there needed to be a kick at the top and at the bottom. Slowly but surely this young and up and coming swimmer added the second kick. It was really cool watching this good Fly become something that will really make an impact on the swimmers future. By the end of the day they had it! When I asked the swimmer how it felt, they replied "Fast". Now the true test will be taking this back home and making it a daily good habit. If that happens look out, great things are gonna happen.
Our swimmers ask such great questions and give such great answers. "Students of the sport" I told them.
Each swimmer will leave better than when they arrived on Sunday. Thanks to their work and effort, I will leave having gained more experience in making a difference. Miracles don't happen every day and not every swimmer has a break through moment but on Thursday great things happened at CAL U Swim Camp. Then again those things happen every year and that makes everything we do as coaches so worth it.
The last session of the last day of Week 2 is just 15 minutes away...
Coach Scott
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Breaststroke and a pretty heavy storm!
Wednesday brought Breaststroke day to camp and also a pretty incredible storm.
A classroom session followed by 2 pool sessions made up an informative day of working on Breaststroke. Coach Nikki lead the pool session focusing on the kick, timing, and the path of the hand. I introduced the Pull Out to the group. We wrapped up Breaststroke working on starts.
The excitment came as we left dinner. A pretty intense storm came through the area. We stood my the dorm and watched the intense clouds before the storm hit.
The rain meant for the second straight week we could not go to DQ. This is a first in the 13 years of Cal Camp. But without losing a beat, the campers were given ice cream and a movie in the TV room and enjoyed a nice safe evening together.
Today was Butterfly day and that post is to come!
Coach Scott
A classroom session followed by 2 pool sessions made up an informative day of working on Breaststroke. Coach Nikki lead the pool session focusing on the kick, timing, and the path of the hand. I introduced the Pull Out to the group. We wrapped up Breaststroke working on starts.
The excitment came as we left dinner. A pretty intense storm came through the area. We stood my the dorm and watched the intense clouds before the storm hit.
The rain meant for the second straight week we could not go to DQ. This is a first in the 13 years of Cal Camp. But without losing a beat, the campers were given ice cream and a movie in the TV room and enjoyed a nice safe evening together.
Today was Butterfly day and that post is to come!
Coach Scott
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
A Gold Medalist, Backstroke, and Fun!
Tuesday was Backstroke day at Cal U swim camp. The day began with a great classroom session and even better discussion on Backstroke.
It was interesting to hear the swimmers questions and even better when they were able to answer my questions. The morning pool session was spent with a lot of the same drills the were done with Freestyle but with a different head position. Again the focus was Body Roll and getting the swimmers to understand the connection between their mind and body.
The morning session finished up with a hint of the afternoon, a special guest would address the campers.
One of the fun things about CAL U camp is that we are part of a bigger picture. The University is going on around us as Freshman Orientation was happening also. Our lunch was shared with many incoming Freshman and their families. The coaches joked that some of the female campers could end up swimming here in the future.
The afternoon session started off with a phone call to BJ Bedford Miller, Olympic Gold medalist on the 400 Medley Relay at the 2000 Summer games in Sydney. BJ spoke to the campers about some keys to swimming smart Backstroke. She reinforced core strength and the connection of all the body to reduce drag.
The afternoon wrapped up with a discussion on the Swimmer Profile (what makes up the things that define a swimmers training) and a great pool session.
The evening wrapped up Backstroke and included work on the Backstroke start.
Swim Camp Survivor began with a great Doggy Paddle relay!
Tomorrow is Breaststroke but also includes a trip to DQ and Movie Night.
Good Night from Cal U.
Coach Scott
It was interesting to hear the swimmers questions and even better when they were able to answer my questions. The morning pool session was spent with a lot of the same drills the were done with Freestyle but with a different head position. Again the focus was Body Roll and getting the swimmers to understand the connection between their mind and body.
The morning session finished up with a hint of the afternoon, a special guest would address the campers.
One of the fun things about CAL U camp is that we are part of a bigger picture. The University is going on around us as Freshman Orientation was happening also. Our lunch was shared with many incoming Freshman and their families. The coaches joked that some of the female campers could end up swimming here in the future.
The afternoon session started off with a phone call to BJ Bedford Miller, Olympic Gold medalist on the 400 Medley Relay at the 2000 Summer games in Sydney. BJ spoke to the campers about some keys to swimming smart Backstroke. She reinforced core strength and the connection of all the body to reduce drag.
The afternoon wrapped up with a discussion on the Swimmer Profile (what makes up the things that define a swimmers training) and a great pool session.
The evening wrapped up Backstroke and included work on the Backstroke start.
Swim Camp Survivor began with a great Doggy Paddle relay!
Tomorrow is Breaststroke but also includes a trip to DQ and Movie Night.
Good Night from Cal U.
Coach Scott
Freestyle a very busy day!
WOW...what a great group of talented swimmer we have this week.
We went from 23 to 38 swimmers in 48 hours from Week 1 to Week 2, we hit the ground running on Monday with a Classroom session on Freestyle with the emphasis on "Swimming Smart". When we got in the water everything flowed really well. We have a wide variety of skill and 38 swimmers with 38 unique personalities, which makes for a lot of laughs and fun. When the kids respond it takes my coaching to a whole other level.
Typically with a larger group, things take time to get through. With this group they take each drill on as a challenge and master it over time. A lot of time was spent on connecting the mind and body and really thinking about what they are doing in the water. The idea of "making things happen" instead of just letting things happen.
We wrapped up Freestyle with some work on starts that went awesome.
A bit of down time now before our last Backstroke session, it has been 3 great days. I will be posting on today's great day of Backstroke later this evening.
Coach Scott
We went from 23 to 38 swimmers in 48 hours from Week 1 to Week 2, we hit the ground running on Monday with a Classroom session on Freestyle with the emphasis on "Swimming Smart". When we got in the water everything flowed really well. We have a wide variety of skill and 38 swimmers with 38 unique personalities, which makes for a lot of laughs and fun. When the kids respond it takes my coaching to a whole other level.
Typically with a larger group, things take time to get through. With this group they take each drill on as a challenge and master it over time. A lot of time was spent on connecting the mind and body and really thinking about what they are doing in the water. The idea of "making things happen" instead of just letting things happen.
We wrapped up Freestyle with some work on starts that went awesome.
A bit of down time now before our last Backstroke session, it has been 3 great days. I will be posting on today's great day of Backstroke later this evening.
Coach Scott
Sunday, June 8, 2014
Week 2 Cal U Swim Camp starts out AMAZING!
Greetings from Cal U!
What an incredible start to Week 2. We have 38 great swimmers this week from all over PA and WV. The swimmers are all very skilled and I promised each of them that they will all leave better than the swimmer they walked in being. A pretty big promise but just after working on Streamlining tonight I have kept my promise.
We spent the evening pool session talking about smart swimming and thinking. Being deliberate in every move they make. We worked on Streamlining and how important it is. If you ask them how important they should reply with about 10 to 20 "VERY"s. It was great watching them grab the simple concepts and make them their own.
Tomorrow we start Freestyle and I am very excited to see how they respond to the drills.
There were a ton of smile and laughing tonight which is always a great way to start camp here at CAL U. It is actually pretty typical but tonight's group made it AWESOME!
Coach Scott
What an incredible start to Week 2. We have 38 great swimmers this week from all over PA and WV. The swimmers are all very skilled and I promised each of them that they will all leave better than the swimmer they walked in being. A pretty big promise but just after working on Streamlining tonight I have kept my promise.
We spent the evening pool session talking about smart swimming and thinking. Being deliberate in every move they make. We worked on Streamlining and how important it is. If you ask them how important they should reply with about 10 to 20 "VERY"s. It was great watching them grab the simple concepts and make them their own.
Tomorrow we start Freestyle and I am very excited to see how they respond to the drills.
There were a ton of smile and laughing tonight which is always a great way to start camp here at CAL U. It is actually pretty typical but tonight's group made it AWESOME!
Coach Scott
Friday, June 6, 2014
In the blink of an eye Week 1 is past...
What a great way to end Week 1. We covered all 4 turns this morning and reviewed all 4 strokes. So much feedback was given that I was really amazed at the progress that was made.
Every swimmer showed a distinct improvement! I hope every swimmer had fun. If there was a way to start 4 weeks of camp this was the perfect way.
Swim Smart+Have Fun=Swim Fast
Simple.
Lets hope those swimmers left with memories to last through their next season!
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Some down time before Week 2.
Coach Scott
Every swimmer showed a distinct improvement! I hope every swimmer had fun. If there was a way to start 4 weeks of camp this was the perfect way.
Swim Smart+Have Fun=Swim Fast
Simple.
Lets hope those swimmers left with memories to last through their next season!
Some down time before Week 2.
Coach Scott
Thursday, June 5, 2014
I hate Butterfly...well not anymore.
It is always fun changing a perspective on things. When it comes to fly it is even more fun.
We had a great classroom session on Butterfly followed by 2 great pool sessions. Coach Nikki lead the day and I assisted which gave the camp an added set of drills. I really enjoy working with our great staff. We are blessed to have so many skilled coaches.
The evening session was focused on Backstroke starts so we have covered all starts and will spend part of the morning on turns and an overall review.
It has been a great week and it will be exciting pointing out to the swimmers how they have changed.
Good Night for Cal U.
Coach Scott
We had a great classroom session on Butterfly followed by 2 great pool sessions. Coach Nikki lead the day and I assisted which gave the camp an added set of drills. I really enjoy working with our great staff. We are blessed to have so many skilled coaches.
The evening session was focused on Backstroke starts so we have covered all starts and will spend part of the morning on turns and an overall review.
It has been a great week and it will be exciting pointing out to the swimmers how they have changed.
Good Night for Cal U.
Coach Scott
Sample of our Cal U Swim Camp Stroke School
Here is a clip of what we are currently putting together.
We are filming all 4 classroom session on each stroke. This is our Beta version with video and graphics to come in the future.
The swimmers have really taken to the concept and have learned a lot.
We are filming all 4 classroom session on each stroke. This is our Beta version with video and graphics to come in the future.
The swimmers have really taken to the concept and have learned a lot.
Coach Scott
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Even rain can't take away the fun at CAL U Swim Camp!
Wednesday brought typical Southwestern PA weather as some sun lead to some rain.
The day started out with a Classroom session on Breaststroke followed by 2 water sessions totally 3 1/2 hours of quality work. Everything the coaches wanted to get accomplished was done and more. We even had time to fit in Breaststroke Starts!
Then the rains came....no trip to DQ but Coach Ed is on the way with Ice Cream. Then it will be movie time with the movie "We bought a Zoo"
The sun is always shining on us here at CAL U swim camp!
Positive Mental Attitude goes a long way!
Coach Scott
The day started out with a Classroom session on Breaststroke followed by 2 water sessions totally 3 1/2 hours of quality work. Everything the coaches wanted to get accomplished was done and more. We even had time to fit in Breaststroke Starts!
Then the rains came....no trip to DQ but Coach Ed is on the way with Ice Cream. Then it will be movie time with the movie "We bought a Zoo"
The sun is always shining on us here at CAL U swim camp!
Positive Mental Attitude goes a long way!
Coach Scott
Cal U Swim Camp - Backstroke Day
It is always so much fun to see kids make adjustments that in the end are going to lead to major improvements in the future. That happened several times during Backstroke on Tuesday.
We started out with a great classroom session with another Power Point presentation giving a ton of information on Backstroke.
We spent 2 pool session working on Body Roll and how it relates to Distance Per Stroke. Streamlining is still improving. The final pool session was spent working on Freestyle starts.
Camp is the time for fun and learning. 23 swimmers focused and working so hard lead to some fun with "Swim Camp Survivor". A Doggy Paddle relay ended our day with a lot of smiles and laughing!
Coach Scott
We started out with a great classroom session with another Power Point presentation giving a ton of information on Backstroke.
We spent 2 pool session working on Body Roll and how it relates to Distance Per Stroke. Streamlining is still improving. The final pool session was spent working on Freestyle starts.
Camp is the time for fun and learning. 23 swimmers focused and working so hard lead to some fun with "Swim Camp Survivor". A Doggy Paddle relay ended our day with a lot of smiles and laughing!
Coach Scott
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Freestyle Day Week 1 Cal U Swim Camp
Monday is always Freestyle Day at most swim camp across the country. The same hold true at Cal U camp this year.
The sunshine greeted us as we walked over to our first classroom session. It was the first time that we have used a Power Point to do the presentation and it worked amazingly. Each camper got a handout to take notes on. At the end when I asked the group to raise their hand if they had learned anything new, it was awesome watching every swimmer raise their hand.
The morning water session was spent readjusting to the concept of long axis swimming and being on your side as opposed to swimming flat. By mid session everyone was consistently Streamlining off every wall, what a great feeling a got watching all these swimmer grab on to the concept about thinking when they swim and making changes.
The afternoon and evening session we spent wrapping up Freestyle and by the end of the night, I can honestly say that every swimmer had improved in some way.
We also had a classroom session on what makes up "Your Swimmer Profile". The lectured concentrated on 4 areas that make swimmer what they are: Water Training, Dry-land Training, Mental Training, and Nutrition.
Tuesday is Backstroke and another day to make a difference to 23 swimmers!
Coach Scott
The sunshine greeted us as we walked over to our first classroom session. It was the first time that we have used a Power Point to do the presentation and it worked amazingly. Each camper got a handout to take notes on. At the end when I asked the group to raise their hand if they had learned anything new, it was awesome watching every swimmer raise their hand.
The morning water session was spent readjusting to the concept of long axis swimming and being on your side as opposed to swimming flat. By mid session everyone was consistently Streamlining off every wall, what a great feeling a got watching all these swimmer grab on to the concept about thinking when they swim and making changes.
The afternoon and evening session we spent wrapping up Freestyle and by the end of the night, I can honestly say that every swimmer had improved in some way.
We also had a classroom session on what makes up "Your Swimmer Profile". The lectured concentrated on 4 areas that make swimmer what they are: Water Training, Dry-land Training, Mental Training, and Nutrition.
Tuesday is Backstroke and another day to make a difference to 23 swimmers!
Coach Scott
Sunday, June 1, 2014
The first day of camp at CAL U!
What a great day. The sun was shining in California PA and campers moved in to Hall E to start camp. 4 weeks of camp is underway.
After a great dinner the first pool session consisted of work on Streamlining, Ready Position, and Break outs.
It is so much fun watching improvement on the first day. We have a great bunch of swimmers here and it is going to be a great week.
Good Night from CAL U!
Coach Scott
After a great dinner the first pool session consisted of work on Streamlining, Ready Position, and Break outs.
It is so much fun watching improvement on the first day. We have a great bunch of swimmers here and it is going to be a great week.
Good Night from CAL U!
Coach Scott
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