Hang Time

On page 94 of this month's issue of Outside Magazine Nick Heil writes an absorbing article entitled Hang Time. See if you can find it, perhaps even online. The captivating part of the article is Heil's assertion "that by moving slowly and repeatedly through complex and dynamic movements, we can rewire our minds to perform those movements more efficiently. The unfamiliar movements get the brain reacquainted with muscles that it rarely calls on (or may have stopped calling on in the wake of an injury) but that are quietly waiting in reserve."

Here at swimcoachdirect we have been reading a lot about the brain over the last six months or so. We have ideas to share with you in the coming weeks about what we are learning. This article is one of many that have been popping up in more mainstream print media lately that talk about the connection between the brain and the body. Science has learned a huge amount that is now being shared about how the human performance machine works, what causes some folks to be more efficient than others...the list is nearly mind boggling!

So, for now and for the pure fun of it follow this link and watch the five short video clips of Nick Heil in the "Lab Rat" section as he demonstrates technique on 5 very familiar exercises. What we like about them is that they are simple, can be done nearly anywhere and yet when done correctly will make a huge difference in the way your body is able to move.

So check it out at OutSideOnline.com and let us know what you think. See you at the pool!

Rehearse Daily Championships - Start with the Legs

Gotta love this internet thing…check out Floswimming.org…As coaches we are always looking for new ideas or new teaching concepts for trusted ideas…

Dry land training takes on all sorts of forms from fancy gyms with personal trainers to basic backyard set ups with ingenuity mixed with personal passion. Go to Floswimming and check out Germantown’s dry land program. The young man demonstrating was outside by the parking lot with a simple 45 lb bar, a medicine ball, a wall against which he was sitting (no chair) while doing exercises. He also showed a nice set of jump ups onto simple wood boxes of various heights. And then, rope climbing with the pool as his “net”. That one might be tough to figure out in an outdoor pool. The message was clear. A few simple and inexpensive tools and you have an athletic dry land program.

If you ever doubted that leg power was important, then you missed the Olympics on TV. This week – as seen on Floswimming – on October 21st Coach Paul Yetter at North Baltimore had his gang kick 5x200 descending 1-5 on the 3:10 interval. One of the gals kicked a 2:13.4 on her back. A bunch of people were under 2:40 in #5. Very impressive.

The motto written on the wall spoke volumes about the mindset in that facility. “If we are to be champions, we must rehearse daily championships within ourselves”. Each of us, coaches and swimmers alike, need to remember that it is daily application of our best that sets us up for championship performances.

Have a great week and rehearse daily…!