Swim Speed Secrets

This book by Sheila Taormina came to our attention from one of our Masters swimmers last month. Thank you so much Sunny! What we like about this book is that it is straightforward and easy to understand. The pictures are of real swimmers from the 60’s – Mike Troy; the 70’s Mark Spitz and National Team Members Allison Schmitt and Peter Vanderkaay.

The twin concepts of distance per stroke and tempo are explained in perhaps the most basic and easily understood fashion we have ever seen. The sequential photos nail the biomechanics – “A” plus Sheila!
  

We agree when she says, “Technique is 80 % of swimming.” In her estimation when compared “to strength, conditioning or the size of a swimmer” technique is by far the most important item on the list of what you need to improve in the water.

She also says “I see too many athletes allowing their strokes to fall apart when they tire at practice. Or, worse, I see people choosing to forego technique altogether and thrash at the water in order to keep up with their lane mates.” Sheila, were you at practice with us this weekend?

But don’t take our word for it. “Sheila T. is just 5’2”, but she swims like she is 6’2”. We still use her as a model for our swimmers today on how to swim the strokes.” – Jack Bauerle, Team USA Olympic swim coach and head coach of the University of Georgia swim team

“Sheila Taormina may be the greatest athlete in the modern Olympic ear. She’s the only person I know who has made four Olympic teams in three different sports.” – Jim Richardson, head coach of the University of Michigan women’s swim team

Check it out. This is a fabulous resource for your sport’s library.