In our morning practice today, we had a substitute coach. This is a FANTASTIC coach, don't get me wrong, but very "old school". Completely wanted me to change my freestyle stroke and do the "S" stroke with thumb entry first (at least I heard it was an old method). It was soooo incredibly awkward! I felt like I did, when I was first learning to swim. I've been working so hard on my EVF and really pushing the water. I just couldn't feel any power in my catch this morning, and I couldn't roll very well.
What do you guys do? Do you have sub coaches on your teams? Do you swim their way during their practices, or stick to your own technique?
I think it's a bad idea for a substitute coach to try and change a swimmer's stroke. A subs job should be to administer workouts and maintain safety in the pool. Unless they plan to be at practices on a regular basis the stroke changing should be left to the regular coach.
I think it's a bad idea for a substitute coach to try and change a swimmer's stroke. A subs job should be to administer workouts and maintain safety in the pool. Unless they plan to be at practices on a regular basis the stroke changing should be left to the regular coach.
I agree. They should at least consult with the regular coach first. I doubt I would entertain the idea unless it sounded logical.
Like the Tarahumara Indian Runners, we can learn a lot about technique by going back to the past.
The "S" stroke is actually a precursor of stuff we do now. In the past coaches used tell me I should not roll the shoulders, now how I rolled the shoulders is described by others as foot controlled motion.
I was also told about thumb first entry but decided myself I did not like the stress in the shoulders caused by the thumb first entry. So I took what I consider the easy less shoulder problem way, by having the thumb and little finger entry and drop the hand to the catch position.
I quit listening to coaches when I was 21. I do only what I want to do. I only teach others things I believe will help their particuular stroke. I never ask for a complete overhaul of a stroke.
During the 1980s I worked with an Olympic breaststroke medallist.
He told me that the lifeguard at the pool had been watching him train. After his training session they were talking together. The lifeguard suggested he should change his stroke slightly.
The swimmer said, "That guy on deck has been watching all my training sessions. He can see my stroke better than I can."
This swimmer had an open mind. He claimed that if anyone was watching him swim and suggested making changes, he would always give it a try. Maybe it would suit - maybe it wouldn't.
As a coach I respect said to a group of us"you are Masters Swimmers,you should listen very carefully to what the coach tells you to do,and then you should do what you think is best."
The swimmer said, "That guy on deck has been watching all my training sessions. He can see my stroke better than I can."
Even so, no one should ever take breaststroke advice from me.
I, also, was taught the flat shoulder stroke. I had some lengthy gaps in my swimming and came back to the body roll which I like a lot better.
I would not try to change someone's stroke in a sub session. I think the sub is there to monitor the session, unless, it is a celebrity guest session. That is different.
I spoke to my coach today about my stroke. She said to keep what I was doing. I seem to go faster and have better balace in the water.
Thanks for all the advice. I haven't gone to a lot of organized practices before, so I was unsure what I needed to do. As usual, you guys are great!
... unless, it is a celebrity guest session. That is different.
What I wouldn't give to have Bill Murray come to a Masters practice and do a schtick as a "coach"! :applaud:
