I say a modern day issue because how things have changed when it comes to our pool facilities. Local Governments and School Districts were once able to operate huge financial negative programs for the community, as they were able to use money from the government to cover the money. Now to today. Local governments and school districts are being squeezed in this new economy, and the the programs in the red are being looked at as possible casualities.
I just heard of a high school team possibly losing their pool. The city and school cannot afford to eat that cost which they once were able to do. This is not a new problem, this has been growing more and more, and the last economic crisis just made it worse. Many High Schools and Local Governments continue to run things at status quo saying they are doing just the same as before, but then it sneaks up on them when they say, well it looks like we are going to have to shut down the pool this year.
Sue Nelson with USA Swimming now has worked to help come up with solutions, and trying to communicate to everyone that a comprehensive aquatics program for the facility is needed to be sure that your swim facility does not end up on the chopping block. Every pool is different, so a pool can't offer everything, but people operating pools need to be open to not just programming, but year round revenue.
A Year Round swim club is a way to have year round revenue. We have seasons that keep kids involved and in the programs to be sure that the club can continue to provide revenue. High School Swimming has relaxed the training rules, so now they can train more than before. So, High School teams look to use their pool to develop their team, and push out club teams that can offer development for athletes and also revenue for the facility. They think that they are doing fine, until that day of reckoning of district budget cuts and your facility is one of the biggest red spots on the budget.
I am not against water polo. I was for awhile, but I recognize that there are Swimmers, Polo players, and then two sport aquatic athletes. All of these athletes would benefit greatly from club swimming. The problem with water polo, as told to me by a pool operator, they can fit only so many people into their practice area, and either the program is expensive or they have to get a better rate, which hurts the facilities budget, and putting it at risk later down the road.
My opinion: Water Polo programs should partner with their Club Swim Programs and try to negotiate a rate for the water polo players to train with them for some days, and then rent the pool for their polo practices. It takes advantage of the water available, and also serves both programs while not risking the pool facility.
Community programs like Open Swims. I remember as a Pool Manager and working with another pool manager, I did the math, and it was amazing how much of hit Open Swim and Lap Swim can be to a pools budget. These are good programs for a pool, but without the other programs to help bring in revenue, a pool that is just community based is in for trouble. Swim Lessons is where they get their profit, but those only bring in big revenue for 2 - 4 months. You can't fund a whole year in that time.
Many go for the solution of emptying the pool. I have seen this done, and many times after a couple years you see more big maintenance needed to be done, which ends up being the same cost in the long run. They decide to just cover the pool and not heat it. This one saves money, but you still have to run the filtration system. Yes, you save money, but having a year round program can bring in more than you would save by more than just turning off the heater.
The old problem for USA Swim Clubs was, "how do we get more swimmers?" Now more often, as pools are getting shut down more often the new problem is, "Where are we going to put all of these swimmers?" In October, Southern California Swimming had their Coaches Clinic, and this was one issue no one had an answer. Teams are starting to having waiting lists because they can't put any more kids in the pool time that they have. Then, you hear about a pool getting closed due to budget cuts, and you know that they didn't have a year round swim program in the pool. Many clubs are looking for places to grow, and here clubs and facility operators can help each other out. Instead they remain focused on just providing for their small community and their high school, as the red on their budget remains and possibly grows.
What a shame.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Race Mode
Race Mode, is when a swimmer swims with the a high level of intensity. Hopefully with enough repetition of technique the swimmer can go into race mode without losing complete control of their technique.
At RCA (TNT) I did a lot of timed 25 sprints. They were typically head to head races. I did them enough that my swimmers knew what their best time for 25 sprint of the strokes. At a certain point it does become hard for improvement, and comes down to executing the "little things," while also swimming a little in the out of control area.
The swimmers listened to what everyone was getting because they paid attention to who beat them and who they beat. These 25's created the competitiveness in them.
I still do 25 sprints for time, and most of the time the same result comes from it. The kids understand what is a fast time, and where they want to be when they swim. I look at my swimmers now though, and ask myself, "Am I doing this enough with them?" I used to ask myself, "Am I doing this too much?" Interesting to see how my coaching evolves and changes. Maybe in four to five years I'll be back to asking, "Am I doing this too much?"
I definitely felt like my swimmers were having a hard time into race mode, so tonight, we went to those 25's for time. After the first round, I started to see the competitive juices flowing again. Now, I feel a whole lot better for this weekends Coastal Champs, as they look good at practice in many areas, but the race mode was what was missing. I can't wait to see how it turns out.
At RCA (TNT) I did a lot of timed 25 sprints. They were typically head to head races. I did them enough that my swimmers knew what their best time for 25 sprint of the strokes. At a certain point it does become hard for improvement, and comes down to executing the "little things," while also swimming a little in the out of control area.
The swimmers listened to what everyone was getting because they paid attention to who beat them and who they beat. These 25's created the competitiveness in them.
I still do 25 sprints for time, and most of the time the same result comes from it. The kids understand what is a fast time, and where they want to be when they swim. I look at my swimmers now though, and ask myself, "Am I doing this enough with them?" I used to ask myself, "Am I doing this too much?" Interesting to see how my coaching evolves and changes. Maybe in four to five years I'll be back to asking, "Am I doing this too much?"
I definitely felt like my swimmers were having a hard time into race mode, so tonight, we went to those 25's for time. After the first round, I started to see the competitive juices flowing again. Now, I feel a whole lot better for this weekends Coastal Champs, as they look good at practice in many areas, but the race mode was what was missing. I can't wait to see how it turns out.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Being the Developmental Coach
Most Developmental Coaches love it. Some are developmental coaches as a stepping to stone to hopefully being a senior coach. Me, I am a developmental coach. I have had the opportunity to coach seniors, but I passed on it to continue to develop swimmers. It can be the easiest coaching job, as improvement happens more often than at the senior levels. The lower the level, the more likely your swimmers can drop time, and the drops can be bigger.
As the developmental coach, you win the adoration of swimmers and parents on your team. From the outside, you are just another coach. You are in the job of developing swimmers to a certain level, and then you move them to the next group. It becomes a challenge, as you create a fast top part of the group, and then you move them up, and now your top group is what was your middle part of the group. You're not starting over, but you take a step back to build that group to be at the level of the previous group.
Great thing for me, I knew what my job was in the beginning. I didn't want to be anything more, and knew from experience as a swimmer in a group, that moving kids up was a challenge for coaches. I went into my first Head Age-Group Coaching position knowing what my job was for the team, and I wasn't interested in the next level. Well, I loved the job. I became a Head Coach, and instead of finding a Head Age-Group Coach; I found a senior coach.
I was told once, "You are only as good as the people below you." That makes you understand how important the developmental coaches are for a senior coach. They may not have the track record of having fast swimmers, but they are huge in the development of the swim club as a whole.
As the developmental coach, you win the adoration of swimmers and parents on your team. From the outside, you are just another coach. You are in the job of developing swimmers to a certain level, and then you move them to the next group. It becomes a challenge, as you create a fast top part of the group, and then you move them up, and now your top group is what was your middle part of the group. You're not starting over, but you take a step back to build that group to be at the level of the previous group.
Great thing for me, I knew what my job was in the beginning. I didn't want to be anything more, and knew from experience as a swimmer in a group, that moving kids up was a challenge for coaches. I went into my first Head Age-Group Coaching position knowing what my job was for the team, and I wasn't interested in the next level. Well, I loved the job. I became a Head Coach, and instead of finding a Head Age-Group Coach; I found a senior coach.
I was told once, "You are only as good as the people below you." That makes you understand how important the developmental coaches are for a senior coach. They may not have the track record of having fast swimmers, but they are huge in the development of the swim club as a whole.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Congrats
I wanted to say congratulations to TNT on winning the CCS Junior Olympics. I am glad to see that one of the hardest decisions has come to what we knew that it would.
TNT and RCA had many years of doing a lot together, but competing against each other. I made the decision to finally become TNT after a lot if thought. My departure brought my father and mother back into coaching. The merger and my departure put Phil Black and my father back together on the same team. Like in the mid 90's they are back to JO Champions.
Congrats TNT.
TNT and RCA had many years of doing a lot together, but competing against each other. I made the decision to finally become TNT after a lot if thought. My departure brought my father and mother back into coaching. The merger and my departure put Phil Black and my father back together on the same team. Like in the mid 90's they are back to JO Champions.
Congrats TNT.
Monday, February 11, 2013
The Abacus Analogy
I teach that on breaststroke that my swimmers need to swim downhill. I use the phrase, "Lean on the Lungs" a lot. I also talk about "Tipping the Body." This works a lot. I have used various ways to portray and give visual pictures of this concept. Tonight as I was referring to this position, I decided to use a different analogy.
I had them picture an abacus. First, I asked if everyone knew what an abacus was. They all seem to know what an abacus is, which worked out for me. I asked the simple question of, " What would happen if I tipped the abacus over slightly towards one end of the abacus? They said that they beads would slide to the other side. "Yes," I responded, "the weight of the beads moved over when I tipped the abacus. On breaststroke we want to take the weight of our hips and slide the weight towards our head, so the oxygen in the lungs will help keep the hips afloat."
Amazing! It worked. Not for all, but it definitely got a good amount of the kids.
This is not something I use regularly. Offering something new to think about the same concept is a good way to try to get to others who aren't grasping the phrases I use regularly. I'll probably refer to the abacus a few more times, and relate it directly to the phrases I normally use. Hopefully make a connection, and get some good muscle memory going through the sets.
Just another tool I can use again later down the line, when I come up with the same problem with a different group of kids who aren't understanding the concept that I teach it, when I begin my seasons. With experience you gain tools, remember them, and you become better because you can deal with problems that may arise. Use any of the tools I mention, I hope I can help you build a tool belt faster than I built my own.
I had them picture an abacus. First, I asked if everyone knew what an abacus was. They all seem to know what an abacus is, which worked out for me. I asked the simple question of, " What would happen if I tipped the abacus over slightly towards one end of the abacus? They said that they beads would slide to the other side. "Yes," I responded, "the weight of the beads moved over when I tipped the abacus. On breaststroke we want to take the weight of our hips and slide the weight towards our head, so the oxygen in the lungs will help keep the hips afloat."
Amazing! It worked. Not for all, but it definitely got a good amount of the kids.
This is not something I use regularly. Offering something new to think about the same concept is a good way to try to get to others who aren't grasping the phrases I use regularly. I'll probably refer to the abacus a few more times, and relate it directly to the phrases I normally use. Hopefully make a connection, and get some good muscle memory going through the sets.
Just another tool I can use again later down the line, when I come up with the same problem with a different group of kids who aren't understanding the concept that I teach it, when I begin my seasons. With experience you gain tools, remember them, and you become better because you can deal with problems that may arise. Use any of the tools I mention, I hope I can help you build a tool belt faster than I built my own.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Leave Something in The Tank
This phrase was used at a coaches clinic, and I have heard other times while learning about coaching swimming.
I think some people may not understand, but as coaches we do "Leave Something in the Tank." We don't try to do everything as soon as possible. This would relate to things like heavy yardage, weight training, or even on more developed stroke techniques.
This really applies to Age-Group Swimming. Most swim teams have a program in place that has their built in development program. The program will determine at what point a swimmer adds the bigger yardage, and when they learn certain skills. At the Senior Level, this could many various different things depending on the coach and philosphy.
Many programs have a program that is built around various levels, ours is 6 levels. If a swimmer joins us a 7 years old, our hope is that they are with us for 11 years, so that they graduate at around 18 while still in our program. So, obviously a swimmer isn't going to move up a group each and every year. So, for my group I expect them to be in the group from 1.5 to 3 years. Every season I try to touch everything, but I take certain aspects and emphasize them for specific seasons (which are roughly 0.5 years). This allows for a swimmer with me for 3 years won't be getting the exact same program each and every season. Some seasons I emphasize short axis stroke and flip turns. Others I emphasize long axis, open turns, and underwaters; Then there may be a season that I do a little more aerobic and diving. Even dryland changes from ab focused dryland, to leg focused, to aerobic focused.
I have mentioned many times that swimming can be a rollercoaster ride, and flat spots happen. We as coaches don't want to add onto that by providing the exact same thing the next season, and creating boredom in the training. A change of pace or focus may be the exact thing to help the swimmer get out of a funk. Scott Colby talked about a swimmer he had, an experience that didn't make sense, but funny thing was that it was something that happened to me as a swimmer. The season I wanted to be a better 100 backstroker, I got better at the 50 Free. The year I focused on the 50 Free, I became a better 100 Flyer. The year I wanted to improve my 100 Fly, I became a better 100 Backstroker. The change of focus somehow helped me to always be improving somewhere.
This is not a phrase we advertise to people, as some may not like the concept of leaving something in the tank for future improvement, but when you think about the fact that we are in the business of developing long term success in the sport; it does make sense. Too much, too soon leaves no options to adding to the training regimen. It could leave someone feeling like they are done, and they don't last in the sport. If this happens too soon, then that person will never be able to see what they actually could have been.
For the young coaches out there, Leave something in the Tank. It will serve your age-group swimmer in the future.
I think some people may not understand, but as coaches we do "Leave Something in the Tank." We don't try to do everything as soon as possible. This would relate to things like heavy yardage, weight training, or even on more developed stroke techniques.
This really applies to Age-Group Swimming. Most swim teams have a program in place that has their built in development program. The program will determine at what point a swimmer adds the bigger yardage, and when they learn certain skills. At the Senior Level, this could many various different things depending on the coach and philosphy.
Many programs have a program that is built around various levels, ours is 6 levels. If a swimmer joins us a 7 years old, our hope is that they are with us for 11 years, so that they graduate at around 18 while still in our program. So, obviously a swimmer isn't going to move up a group each and every year. So, for my group I expect them to be in the group from 1.5 to 3 years. Every season I try to touch everything, but I take certain aspects and emphasize them for specific seasons (which are roughly 0.5 years). This allows for a swimmer with me for 3 years won't be getting the exact same program each and every season. Some seasons I emphasize short axis stroke and flip turns. Others I emphasize long axis, open turns, and underwaters; Then there may be a season that I do a little more aerobic and diving. Even dryland changes from ab focused dryland, to leg focused, to aerobic focused.
I have mentioned many times that swimming can be a rollercoaster ride, and flat spots happen. We as coaches don't want to add onto that by providing the exact same thing the next season, and creating boredom in the training. A change of pace or focus may be the exact thing to help the swimmer get out of a funk. Scott Colby talked about a swimmer he had, an experience that didn't make sense, but funny thing was that it was something that happened to me as a swimmer. The season I wanted to be a better 100 backstroker, I got better at the 50 Free. The year I focused on the 50 Free, I became a better 100 Flyer. The year I wanted to improve my 100 Fly, I became a better 100 Backstroker. The change of focus somehow helped me to always be improving somewhere.
This is not a phrase we advertise to people, as some may not like the concept of leaving something in the tank for future improvement, but when you think about the fact that we are in the business of developing long term success in the sport; it does make sense. Too much, too soon leaves no options to adding to the training regimen. It could leave someone feeling like they are done, and they don't last in the sport. If this happens too soon, then that person will never be able to see what they actually could have been.
For the young coaches out there, Leave something in the Tank. It will serve your age-group swimmer in the future.
Friday, February 1, 2013
Coaching Young Swimmers
My coaching has changed, evolved, and developed over the years. I am not old, but I have done this for a long time. When I began, my brother and I would explain things, and repeat multiple times, and then finally get the swimmers to swim a lap. We did get results, but as I look back on it, did we give them enough repetition to create solid long term muscles memory with this method? I don't think that we did.
We still talk a lot, but we don't explain everything multiple times now. Since I began coaching little kids again this fall, I began a different method. Explain and maybe repeat, but let them swim a lap trying to make sense of what you told them. Observe the lap, and then correct things that went wrong and send them off again. The hope is they correct that part, but of course there is a lot more that they were doing wrong, so now you move to the next part. Make another correction on the other side, and send them off. Correcting pieces, and in the end, they are close to doing something right.
The method means that they will develop slowly, but you are developing them by allowing them to fail (or make a mistake), and helping them learn through making mistakes. Creating an environment where making mistakes is ok, as long as you learn from them. This also allows you to focus on smaller parts and making better corrections that they can think about and create more muscle memory that is linked with cognitive thought.
Are you going to make the fastest 10 and under this way? Probably not, but you are developing a 10 and under for the long term. When you get a talented 10 and under, then yes they'll become fast, but not because of their training, but because of their talent. Your focus is teaching more than training, as they'll have plenty of training later down the road.
I am also helping a new coach as she will taking one of our young groups when I begin with my high school team. She comes from swim lessons, many times private swim lessons. I explained that what we do is develop young people looking at the long-term. This is very different than what she is used to, as private lessons people are looking for tangible results, and want them quickly. I have had my fair share of swimmers that I rushed along in an attempt to make them fast when they were young. It never really panned out well in the end. I learned from those mistakes, and now I try to not do things for their swimming that is in the interest of making them fast now, and not looking at what it may mean for future development. Sure, I'll have the fast young ones come along, but it can't be the focus.
We still talk a lot, but we don't explain everything multiple times now. Since I began coaching little kids again this fall, I began a different method. Explain and maybe repeat, but let them swim a lap trying to make sense of what you told them. Observe the lap, and then correct things that went wrong and send them off again. The hope is they correct that part, but of course there is a lot more that they were doing wrong, so now you move to the next part. Make another correction on the other side, and send them off. Correcting pieces, and in the end, they are close to doing something right.
The method means that they will develop slowly, but you are developing them by allowing them to fail (or make a mistake), and helping them learn through making mistakes. Creating an environment where making mistakes is ok, as long as you learn from them. This also allows you to focus on smaller parts and making better corrections that they can think about and create more muscle memory that is linked with cognitive thought.
Are you going to make the fastest 10 and under this way? Probably not, but you are developing a 10 and under for the long term. When you get a talented 10 and under, then yes they'll become fast, but not because of their training, but because of their talent. Your focus is teaching more than training, as they'll have plenty of training later down the road.
I am also helping a new coach as she will taking one of our young groups when I begin with my high school team. She comes from swim lessons, many times private swim lessons. I explained that what we do is develop young people looking at the long-term. This is very different than what she is used to, as private lessons people are looking for tangible results, and want them quickly. I have had my fair share of swimmers that I rushed along in an attempt to make them fast when they were young. It never really panned out well in the end. I learned from those mistakes, and now I try to not do things for their swimming that is in the interest of making them fast now, and not looking at what it may mean for future development. Sure, I'll have the fast young ones come along, but it can't be the focus.
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