If the major car companies, electronics companies and other industries can get together ad agree on certain industry standards, why not swimming? Do you think that all computer firms just suddenly come up with the USB? No, they all agreed to the design, capabilities and limitations, so all could compete and flourish on par.
Same goes for swimming, but it hasn't happened yet. Lap or Length have been argued to death here, with no consensus. This morning I was reminded of another set of easily confused terms; build and descend. I was taught that build meant increase speed (or at least effort) during the individual swim you are about to perform, descend was to make each swim in a set a little faster, so the last 100 (or whatever the distance) was faster than the first one .
Anyone else have terms of inconsistency or ambiguity? Can we get the coaches to issue forth a letter of understanding on certain terms, so we have an interchangeable vernacular across the country?
I coach a Masters swim team in Colorado Springs. I think that the idea of coaches using consistent terms is great - however I am not really sure how it can be done. I know that the kids team we are part of (the only way we can get pool time in town) tries to keep using the same terms and drills throughout the different skill/speed levels on their team. That way the kids keep hearing the exact same terms for the skills and drills they are learning as they progress from the Silver Team, to the Gold Team and finally to the Senior Team. I think that this is a great idea. Much easier to do on a single club basis than across an entire country of Masters swimming teams. I can come up with over 100 different terms I use and consider rather wide spread in use. I am sure that many other coaches have different terms they use for some of the ones I consider wide spread. I have been coaching this team for about 25 years. I don't know how a newbie coach can be exposed to all of these terms. They would have to be given an explanation of the drill/term that they understand, not just the name to use. Also I know that different coaches use different terms for a reason. Some coaches never use the word pull when talking about the arms. They would rather use the term anchor to get swimmers to understand what they are really doing when they move through the water. Some coaches use the term load instead of press for a similar reason. Also sometimes coaches invent new drills and give them a name. If I agree to start using the same terms as a team across town, does that mean my swimmers now have to learn some new names for the things they have been doing for 25 years? Just my thoughts.
Does everyone know these terms?
KRLS (kick, right arm, left arm, swim)
SKPS (swim, kick, pull, swim)
KIPS (kick, inverted kick, pull, swim)
SKIPS (swim, kick, inverted kick, pull, swim)
These are terms I probably learned 35 years ago.
Inverted kick would be kicking on your back if the set was for freestyle, or dolphin on your back if the set were butterfly, or whip kick on your back if the set were for breaststroke. If the set were backstroke you would kick on your front. The goal of kicking upside down (or inverted) is to notice if you kick differently on your front or back. Also it will point out flaws swimmers or coaches can look for. Some examples are knees popping out of the water when kicking on the back (flutter or whip kick), dolphin kick only focusing on the down kick, and poor body position.
Some coaches expect the swimmers in the lanes to explain the set (or the special terms), and that is patently unfair to all of the swimmers. The new ones because there is now an arm's length relationship with the coach, and the returning swimmers because they now have to take precious time out of their workout to explain to the newbie (or thick head).
I suppose I don't see how a uniform set of definitions -- even if such can be agreed upon and maintained (not an easy task I think) -- will help this very much. If a coach is unfriendly to newbies that will be obvious no matter what else happens.
For example: imagine a scenario where there is a glossary somewhere. Then you have a coach who hands a new swimmer a list and says "you will be expected to know these terms before you can swim with us." This is better? You can even argue that having such a glossary actually reduces the opportunity for personal interaction between new swimmer and coach.
I suppose what I am saying is that I do not believe that inconsistent terminology is the root of the problems you are describing. So fixing it would take a lot of work and wouldn't solve the problem. At least, that's my experience; YMMV of course.
(However, a consistent set of terms might be useful in training coaches.)
Chris,
You are coming from the point of view that the swimmers do not move. That was part of my original thought for uniform terms - Masters swimmers, because of their longevity in the sport (compared to age groupers), tend to change locations from time to time. I wasn't really trying to get deep into the weeds on a practical application, just point out that some terms are not used uniformly across this great nation. And probably should be.
This is almost as important, but not quite as important, as who Michael Phelps is dating.And whether the geek can beat the wookiee in head to head competition in Greensboro.:cane:
I coach a Masters swim team in Colorado Springs. I think that the idea of coaches using consistent terms is great - however I am not really sure how it can be done.
I doubt it will be easy, if it ever is tried. First, the coaches must agree that something should be done for the good of the swimmers. Then there will be categories of terms to agree upon. Then there will be discussion and voting on the terms. The hardest thing will be to issue unified terminology and actually get the coaches to use it in their programs.
All of the above is predicated on the assumption that coaches want general improvement for the swimmers. Unfortunately, I think some coaches like having special terms that are their own, using exclusively for their program. Maybe they see that as the edge over competition.
Having unified terms will also play to the insecurity of the coach, knowing that the swimmers could transfer to another program without missing anything, since everyone speaks the same terminology.
I think some coaches like having special terms that are their own, using exclusively for their program. Maybe they see that as the edge over competition.
I don't think these are the reasons, or at least not major ones. I think most coaches don't see the value in going to all the trouble of the process you describe.
Let's face it: the terminology of swimming (or any endeavor, really) is going to be intimidating to newcomers. There will be a learning curve, possibly a steep one. And perhaps the most intimidating aspect to new (masters) swimmers is that they may think the yardage and speed of experienced members are beyond them.
IMO, even more important than a unified set of terms and definitions is to make sure coaches understand how important it is to be welcoming to new swimmers. It can be very hard for people who have decades of experience with the sport to really appreciate the trepidation (and yes, lack of knowledge) of new swimmers.
