Just a thought/request:
At some point in the future, it would be nice to have workouts posted by someone who specializes in LONG distance coaching with an eye on open water distances (1 mile "death sprints" to ??? miles). The workouts provided are generally excellent, but since open water distances basically start where pool distances leave off, it would be great to have something a bit more specific. This is especially true since there is a relatively small body of printed work on longer distance/open water training and coaches for LONG distances seem few and far between.
Would anyone else be interested and would this be possible?
-LBJ
Parents
Former Member
'Laineybug'
I do think that many masters clubs, do not help the "newbies" as much as they need. Some "newbies", really need a learn to swim program, before they swim the coached workouts. It is hard to help though.
I coach a few "newbie" swimmers, where, i give them progressive drills and swims. I have had some success. My swimmers have good balance now, and most can breathe well to either side. I watch them and give feedback often.
I also get in the water and demonstrate every few weeks. I have less than 20 swimmers to coach so I have the time in a session to do this.
However, in most masters clubs, there is one coach to many ( 100 + ) swimmers. It is natural to concentrate on your best lanes, especially the ones who race in meets.
An assistant coach could help on the "learner" lanes, and some clubs will do this.
This site and the USMS in general are very helpfull to all. There is almost no EGO with the people who post here. They will actually spend time trying to help.
Contrast this with the UK site, where EGO is HUGE and most posts end up with people "dissing" you. My experience is that few there would bother to give you long carefully thought out replies to your questions.
Also it is hard to help a swimmer when you have not seen them swim. There may be stroke flaws and flexibility issues that need correcting before setting harder swim sets. As a coach you are guessing as to what the swimmer needs.
'Laineybug'
I do think that many masters clubs, do not help the "newbies" as much as they need. Some "newbies", really need a learn to swim program, before they swim the coached workouts. It is hard to help though.
I coach a few "newbie" swimmers, where, i give them progressive drills and swims. I have had some success. My swimmers have good balance now, and most can breathe well to either side. I watch them and give feedback often.
I also get in the water and demonstrate every few weeks. I have less than 20 swimmers to coach so I have the time in a session to do this.
However, in most masters clubs, there is one coach to many ( 100 + ) swimmers. It is natural to concentrate on your best lanes, especially the ones who race in meets.
An assistant coach could help on the "learner" lanes, and some clubs will do this.
This site and the USMS in general are very helpfull to all. There is almost no EGO with the people who post here. They will actually spend time trying to help.
Contrast this with the UK site, where EGO is HUGE and most posts end up with people "dissing" you. My experience is that few there would bother to give you long carefully thought out replies to your questions.
Also it is hard to help a swimmer when you have not seen them swim. There may be stroke flaws and flexibility issues that need correcting before setting harder swim sets. As a coach you are guessing as to what the swimmer needs.
