Courage & Brains

Last week we took our Senior Team to Clovis to race at Sectionals. Our theme was to race with courage and brains. In essence we said to get after the swims with some energy, stick your neck out a little – courage, giving yourself a chance for a breakthrough. If this was done with some brains, as opposed to reckless abandon, then you could get home and have a great swim. Almost to a swim, everyone should courage. Every now and then the brains got left at the block and the swim turned south somewhat. Yet for the most part we were hugely successful. We had 23 swimmers turn in a collective 78 best times, including relay splits.

Now comes the task of regrouping for Junior Nationals in two weeks at Stanford. We’d like to share with you our approach as we build back up, readying ourselves for another round of high level racing.

We are looking at the process (this whole game is process driven!) from a slightly different angle: the difference between being able and being willing. We are challenging our swimmers to be able one more time. They certainly have the confidence from Sectionals. We want them to simultaneously be willing.

We went to the dictionary and shared with them the information below.

Definition of Able

Able

a.	1.	Fit; adapted; suitable.
	2.	Having sufficient power, strength, force, skill, means, or resources of any kind to accomplish the object; competent; qualified; capable; as, an able workman, soldier, seaman, a woman able to work; a mind able to reason; able to endure pain;
	3.	Specially: Having intellectual qualifications, or strong mental powers; showing ability or skill; talented; clever; powerful;

Definition of Willing

Willing

a.	1.	Free to do; having the mind inclined; disposed; not averse; desirous; consenting; complying; ready.
	2.	Received of choice, or without reluctance; submitted to voluntarily; chosen; desired.
	3.	Spontaneous; self-moved.

As coaches, we know – and they know – they are able. The key to racing well again is the willing part of the equation. That will be our focus for the next two weeks.

We expect it to go very well. We’ll let you know!