When swimmers “Get it” and “What can I do to improve today?”

When swimmers “Get it” and “What can I do to improve today?”

Today I have a 2- part blog for all of you to enjoy.  Over the last couple of days both topics have stuck in my mind so here they are.  Enjoy!

When swimmers “Get it”.

As a coach I am always aware of how each swimmer is progressing.  How they practice, compete and most important,  connect with what I am trying to get them to understand.  It is my responsibility to coach each swimmer as an individual.  With that in mind, there are  several different ways to convey the message.  Explaining it, showing it, and even having them watch it, either on video of themselves, or in another swimmer are all helpful.

 “It” can be one of the many things that are needed for a swimmer to improve and move on to the next level.  The great thing is that sometimes you never see it coming.  The time spent making corrections and getting rid of bad habits is the necessary part of this sport that allows swimmers to swim smart, and in the end swim faster.  Some think of it as the light bulb switching on, others say that everything just clicked. No matter what you call it, it is by far one of the best things about being a swimming coach.

I once saw Coach Bill Boomer work with Olympian Josh Davis on improving the power in his body roll and power phase for Freestyle.  Coach Boomer had Josh demonstrate a bunch of drills to a group of coaches.  Josh did a great job but there was that little bit that Coach Boomer still needed from him.  Coach Boomer got him up on deck and showed the coaches and Josh how the drill had to be done.  When Josh got back in and did it correctly it was like Christmas morning for Coach Boomer.  He yelled in delight, stopped Josh, “high fived” him and told him that was it.  He asked Josh a series of questions and Josh gave him back the answers he was looking for.

Josh “Got it”.  The secret is that is never stops right there.  When a swimmer truly gets it, they want more.  I stuck around talking with Coach Boomer. Sure enough, Josh came up to us and wanted to know more.  What more could he do?  The Olympics were right round the corner and Josh was eager to take things to the next level.  Coach Boomer went on to explain more and Josh took the information to heart and made it part of his training.

The thing about this story is that it happens at every level.  I have seen it on all my teams, at camps, and have had it related to me by the coaches I work closely with.  Case in point; a phone call this week I had with Coach Ed Denny from California University of Pennsylvania on how one of his student-athletes had really taken the concept to the next level.  In practice and after practice she wants to do everything little thing she can to improve.  That connection between coach and swimmer shows that the swimmer has understood it and now wants to apply it to improving.

When I describe being a part of this process as Christmas morning, it is just that.  The sense of satisfaction as a coach is incredible.  You have connected with your swimmer.  Each high-five, fist bump, thumbs up, and words of encouragement are the gifts coaches and swimmers get.  The process takes time and patience on everyone’s part.  But from the novice swimmer to the elite swimmer these things happen.  From a 7 year old streamlining to an elite swimmer buying into a race plan, it is all part of “Getting it”.

What can I do to improve today?

Every swimmer at every level must ask themselves 2 questions every day that they practice:

1.       What can I do to improve today?  This is asked before even stepping on deck.  It’s a plan for the day.  What am I going to work on or focus on? For the beginning swimmer it can be as easy as streamlining.  For the elite swimmer it can be paying attention to pulse rate and repeat times.  The task is as clear as the question; it is a matter of focus and committing to that.

2.      What did I do today to improve?  This is asked once practice is over.  Did I focus on the goal for the day?  Did I make my plan known to the coach?  What was the outcome?  More important, is it something that I am now committed to doing everyday?

This approach was taught to me by Coach Ed Denny from California University of Pennsylvania.  It is such a cornerstone of what he believes that he has 2 signs for his student-athletes to see as they leave and enter the locker room.  Walking out to the deck above the door reads:  What can I do to improve today?  Walking from the deck to the locker room reads:  What did I do today to improve?  It is a pretty simple concept that can mean so much for swimmers.  Every coach walks into practice with a plan for the day.  That practice is followed, possibly altered, and finally  executed to get what the swimmers need that day.  What is not part of the plan are the things we notice and talk about with the swimmers.  We as coaches are always talking technique and reminding swimmers to do this or that.  It is all playing into making them become the best possible swimmer that they can be.  With a little added focus and dedication, bad habits become good ones.  Taking swimming to the next level starts with a very basic concept: One practice at a time, one set at a time, one stroke at a time.

So, “What can you do to improve today?”

Thanks to all for your support and encouragement.  It means more than you know.

Coach Scott