Although you might not think hitting the board would hurt that much, you can break bones, get concussion or split your skin. None of these injuries sound particularly fun, so make sure you practice. Do progress gradually Do not, we repeat, do not boldly climb the springboard ladder at your local pool in the mild […]

The job of parents and coaches is to help swimmers discover the real reason behind their actions and inactions, and in doing so, help them unleash their true potential. It’s important to know why you do what you do…and why that’s important. Why do you swim? This is probably the most important question you can […]

Each child is different, and relationships vary, but we can reflect on what we do daily for our children and what they can start doing on their own. My kids are in college and I’m learning that how I behaved as an age group swim parent has a direct relationship to their success or troubles once they […]

Playing sports also translates directly to improvements in physical and mental well-being and is also likely to help children learn in the classroom. Swimming has played an essential role in making me who I am — both in and out of the water. I am 16 and just finished my junior year of high school. […]

Be careful how we praise. If we praise our children for their gifts, such as brains or athletic talent, they may believe those qualities are fixed and cannot be changed. What is the mindset of a champion? “It goes by different names, but it’s the same thing. It’s what makes you practice, and it’s what […]

When you push a swimmer who is tight in their upper body to perform an Elbow Behind Ears streamline you will see excessive lumbar flexion. Streamlines are very important to swimming, as every swimmer needs to be proficient at it. This is because streamlines are universal and are required in all races — no matter the distances the […]

Distance runners need to prepare for all race strategies: be ready for slow races, fast races, surges and races with a big kick. The purpose of training is to prepare for competition. The goal of a competitive runner is to be prepared on race day. Hard workout days should be challenging but attainable. Achieve the workout goals, […]

They inspire love of swimming through their actions and interactions. They look for teachable moments. These are just coaches you want to know whether they are in summer league or the NCAA. Thousands of articles have been written about the qualities of the best swim coaches and the shortcomings of the worst. If you’ve been […]

Kids are a good judge of where they stand amongst their peers in terms of ability and hard work. When they improve and get faster, chances are they will want to keep coming back. What are the motivating factors that keep our children interested in swimming? Why do they want to stick with a sport […]

The best scenario is a combination of talent and desire. Although having both talent and a strong work ethic is rare, these are the swimmers we see on top of the podiums throughout their high school, college and Olympic careers. We all have seen the naturally gifted kids at the pool. But what if our […]