Enjoy Your Training

TEN TIPS FOR ENJOYING A GREAT WORKOUT

By Coach Joe Freeman

Be the first one at the pool everyday. Greet the coach with a big smile and be in a positive mood for training. Be on your best behaviour and just show everyone that you are glad to be there. “I find that when my swimmers are happy and cheerful, it lifts the whole session.”

Motivate the swimmers in your own lane. Talk about how you can help each other to get the best out of the session. Simply encourage each other. It works!“My top lane swimmers always start each session with a team cheer.”

Take all of your equipment on to the poolside. Be organised. Don’t leave your pull buoy in your swim bag. Have everything ready for the warm up.“Nothing is more annoying to a coach than someone having to go to his bag for a float when the rest of the swimmers are ready to start the set.”

Don’t forget your stretching exercises. Ask your coach to prepare one for you and go through it before every session. If you take your swimming seriously then you’ll do a stretching routine after training too.“My swimmers arrive on the poolside 15 minutes before the session starts and go through their stretching exercises while I’m writing the session on the board.”

Use the pace clock. Keep track of your training times on every swim. Make sure you take the correct rest interval. Resist the temptation to take a shorter rest so that you can chase the swimmer in front.“I go to a lot of trouble when working out the rest intervals. It is encouraging to see so many swimmers using the rest effectively.”

The warm is the most important part of the session. Use it properly and make sure that your body is ready for the training sets. Don’t arrive late, hoping that just a few lengths of the pool will be enough. It won’t!!“My swimmers know me well…they never arrive late!!”.

Drill properly!! It is vital that all drills are done to the best of your ability. Sloppy drills will lead to sloppy swimming. If you are a long way behind the others because you choose to do everything correctly, it won’t go unnoticed by the coach.“I admire the swimmer who values the importance of correct drills. They are the ones who reap the rewards.”

 Ask the coach. If you are not sure of what is required of you, then ask! If you feel that you need help with your stroke, then ask! Coach will be pleased to help. That’s what he’s there for!“I am aware that some swimmers will take a break by stopping to talk to their coach after completing a couple of 100s in a set…don’t even think about it!!”

Value the end of session talk and listen carefully. The coach will take control of this. Coach will talk about the workout and what each swimmer accomplished.“I use this time to talk to each swimmer about their stroke and how we can correct it. Then I excite them by talking about what we will do in the next session. Before they leave the poolside, I insist on them doing a team cheer”.

Remember to thank the coach before you leave the building. Coaching is a thankless job and always have at the back of your mind that Coach is there for you.“I always thank my swimmers for coming to the session..after all, they don’t have to!!!”

Adapted from an article written by Coach Joe Freeman in UK Swimming Sept 2000.

PS -- The Nemo bullet points above are not part of the “Nemo Competition”.