Things swim coaches should not do....
#1 If you can not do a stroke correctly - Do not demonstrate.
#2 Do not make too many changes in a stroke at one time.
Coaches should
#1 Make sure the swimmers can handle the workload.
#2 Design Individualized programs.
Please add your thoughts, I have many more but would like to see what others think.
I agree that it would be difficult to design an individual program for each swimmer but, assuming this is done; given limited lane space it is imposable to divide the lanes according to preference and not have speed/abilities conflict.
This is very true. We have a few swimmers who are basically "stuck between lanes" - too fast for one, too slow for the other. We encourage them to swim up and they are quite good at moving over when caught. Usually, they go off last on a set and this is only an issue on longer sets of 300 yards or more.
It also works as a motivation for the fast folks. Trying to catch that slower person speeds you up along with them swimming faster to avoid being caught. It's a little cat and mouse game.
I agree that it would be difficult to design an individual program for each swimmer but, assuming this is done; given limited lane space it is imposable to divide the lanes according to preference and not have speed/abilities conflict.
This is very true. We have a few swimmers who are basically "stuck between lanes" - too fast for one, too slow for the other. We encourage them to swim up and they are quite good at moving over when caught. Usually, they go off last on a set and this is only an issue on longer sets of 300 yards or more.
It also works as a motivation for the fast folks. Trying to catch that slower person speeds you up along with them swimming faster to avoid being caught. It's a little cat and mouse game.
