Monday, November 22, 2010

Top Christmas Gifts for Swimmers (and One for Your Coach)

...and you don't even have to go out on Black Friday!

For the gift that keeps on giving, get The Original Backnobber II ($28.95)and help your swimmer get rid of those tight back and shoulder muscles by making him do it himself.  Or, if you really want to pamper your swimmer and save a little cash, get the Original Palmassager ($7.95). While relaxing, your swimmer can watch The Three Styles of Freestyle DVD ($39.95).  Mike Bottom is the world's preeminent sprint freestyle coach, and his philosophy on freestyle technique can help swimmers improve at all distances.  To help your swimmer figure out what style is best for him, get The Athlete Village video review ($49.99 or use this discount code for 10% off: RW21846) and have an elite coach review your swimmer's stroke remotely through the internet.  The best part - it's 100% guaranteed money back if you aren't satisfied.  For a little inspiration and a dose of history, put The Great Swim by Gavin Mortimer ($6.40) in your swimmer's stocking.  After all that therapeutic massage, education, and inspiration, it will eventually be time to get in the water for that post-holiday training.  The Finis Tempo Trainer ($31.99) is the ultimate tool for the precision-oriented athlete.  A yardage monster who swims for fitness might be more interested in the SwiMP3 ($149.99). And don't forget to get Games, Gimmicks, and Challenges by Bob Steele ($29)for your coach who may need a few ideas for games to break up those New Year's distance sets.

Friday, November 12, 2010

The ABCs of Coaching

Some lessons learned from a decade in the sport...

A is for Accountability.  Be accountable for your actions and hold your athletes accountable as well.
B is for Basics.  Stress the basics of sound technique every day.
C is for Communication.  This is the foundation for your success or failure as a coach.
D is for Developing your skills.  Keep learning and improving your skill set.
E is for Encouragement.  Your athletes need to hear it from you more than you think.
F is for Fitness.  If you are physically fit you will feel good and your athletes will respect you more.
G is for Games.  There is a place for these in every training program.
H is for Hard work.  There simply is no other way.
I is for Individualize.  Show an athlete that you are planning specifically for him and his motivation will soar.
J is for Jokes.  Tell them from time to time.
K is for Know your athletes.  As people first, as athletes second.
L is for Learn.  From your mistakes and from every possible source.
M is for Mentor.  Have one and be one.
N is for Negativity.  Run from it.  Be a force against it.  The world puts enough of it in your swimmers' lives already.
O is for Openness.  Be sure that your athletes feel they can talk to you.
P is for Parents.  The successful coach makes them his partners.
Q is for Question the conventions.  "Because that is how we do it" is not a good enough reason for anything.
R is for Racing.  Teach it. Preach it.  Encourage your swimmers to compete.
S is for Swim yourself.  You will have a better understanding of what you are asking your athletes to do.
T is for Teach.  The primary mission of a great coach is to be a teacher.
U is for Use your time wisely.  Coaching can take over your life if you don't prioritize your time.
V is for Vacation.  Make sure you take it.  It will make you a better coach.
W is for Winning.  Celebrate it, but don't make it your sole focus.
X is for eXamine your process and your results.
Y is for Yourself.  Being yourself is the most fundamental form of honesty.
Z is for Zeal.  Be a zealous fan of your swimmers.