Things swim coaches should not do or should do.

We typically have 25 or so people per workout, and our coach does a good job of individualizing workouts for people with different goals. Sometimes we all do the same set (with some different intervals or distances based on ability) if the goal of the set is something we all need to work on, such as aerobic base-building, kicking, etc. But other times, he gives a set and then gives certain people specific modifications based on their specialty. If we have a set of 4 x 200, for example, most people may be doing freestyle, but he may tell me to do breaststroke and hold my times under a certain interval. He might do the same with a backstroker and flyer. He may remind a newer triathlete of a specific stroke focus before they take off doing freestyle. It's not that everyone gets a customized set every time, but when it's appropriate and, especially if you tell him you have specific goal you want to work towards, he will do more individualizing. I think that works well. Other thoughts: A coach should offer encouragement and praise in addition to stroke critique and suggestions. A coach should be thanked for his or her efforts and passion. A coach should continually strive to improve his or her knowledge of swimming. A coach should be honest when he or she doesn't know the answer to a question.

We typically have 25 or so people per workout, and our coach does a good job of individualizing workouts for people with different goals. Sometimes we all do the same set (with some different intervals or distances based on ability) if the goal of the set is something we all need to work on, such as aerobic base-building, kicking, etc. But other times, he gives a set and then gives certain people specific modifications based on their specialty. If we have a set of 4 x 200, for example, most people may be doing freestyle, but he may tell me to do breaststroke and hold my times under a certain interval. He might do the same with a backstroker and flyer. He may remind a newer triathlete of a specific stroke focus before they take off doing freestyle. It's not that everyone gets a customized set every time, but when it's appropriate and, especially if you tell him you have specific goal you want to work towards, he will do more individualizing. I think that works well. Other thoughts: A coach should offer encouragement and praise in addition to stroke critique and suggestions. A coach should be thanked for his or her efforts and passion. A coach should continually strive to improve his or her knowledge of swimming. A coach should be honest when he or she doesn't know the answer to a question.