I’m coaching a group of children between the age 8 and 11 who have recently or are really near achieving their regional standard (under 4:00 in the 200 IM). In the period when this story occurs, the focus in practice is to learn to read their times and to follow Read more…
This is a sample of the weekly email I sent to the parents of my swimmers to keep them in the loop of what we (the coaches) were doing with their children. It was not only meant to keep them in the loop, it was principally meant to demonstrate how Read more…
For many children competing isn’t something they look forward to or want to do. Frequently, either at an inner club mini-meets or even at regional meets, new or recent competitors end up refusing to compete. It might be that the child is reluctant to agree to go to the meet, Read more…
Race feedback to an 11-year-old boy at the regional level.
Notice how I never once mention best time. Race feedback is always about extracting the lessons of the race.
An example of working with the idea that the price, in terms of effort, is subject to change. Some days, the amount effort required to accomplish a task is higher than others. Our job is to get it done regardless of the price.