The hardest part of coaching is showing them something new after you've already showed them everything you know. I knew that kids improved when I first got here and that was good, but at that point everything was still too new to tell if it was signifigant. I only say this becasue I am wrapping up my first year down here, and I am still seeing improvement. I think we swam great at the meet. More than anything I like kids that are swimming with confidence. The younger swimmers knew thier heats and lanes. They got themselves up and they raced. Real veterans now! My older groups swam great as well! A few new JO cuts, a lot of new best times, and we are still having fun doing it.
Now its longcourse season. I personally am tired of short course and cant wait to swim a real distance. We have LOTS of work in front of us. Again I would like to thank the parents for doing all the driving and cheering! Your constant support allows us to achieve.
Keep checking for updates
Monday, May 19, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
8 and Under Meet in Miami
This past weekend the youngest Key Fish traveled to Miami to compete in a 8 and under meet. These meets are a great way for these younger swimmers to get excited about going to meets, and to discover themselves as swimmers.
The month of March was pretty slow in terms of going to meets, but with that "off" time we spent a lot of time trying to develop. My swimmers have been giving me great mental and physical focus over the last month and I would say that this was one of the key contributors to our success as a group. Many of the kids did a best time in every event they swam, while others were only off in one event. Many of the swimmers scored top eight in at least one event while others scored top 3 in every event. We had many heat winners, and for the first time in a long time we had a relay which finished third.
I would say that the best part, however, was watching these young swimmers become more adept at dealing with the chaos that swim meets can sometimes present. They all knew their heats and lanes, and were getting themselves prepared to swim fast. I also saw kids trying new strokes techniques that they have been using in workout and it is always nice to know that my voice is not falling on deaf ears.
Best part of all was that smiles after a race, and the excitement to swim in another race. These young kids remind me to just relax sometimes and have a little fun. I am glad that my swimmers wont be burnt out at the age of 10 and still appreciate the fun, the camaraderie, and the personal achievement that this sport offers.
The month of March was pretty slow in terms of going to meets, but with that "off" time we spent a lot of time trying to develop. My swimmers have been giving me great mental and physical focus over the last month and I would say that this was one of the key contributors to our success as a group. Many of the kids did a best time in every event they swam, while others were only off in one event. Many of the swimmers scored top eight in at least one event while others scored top 3 in every event. We had many heat winners, and for the first time in a long time we had a relay which finished third.
I would say that the best part, however, was watching these young swimmers become more adept at dealing with the chaos that swim meets can sometimes present. They all knew their heats and lanes, and were getting themselves prepared to swim fast. I also saw kids trying new strokes techniques that they have been using in workout and it is always nice to know that my voice is not falling on deaf ears.
Best part of all was that smiles after a race, and the excitement to swim in another race. These young kids remind me to just relax sometimes and have a little fun. I am glad that my swimmers wont be burnt out at the age of 10 and still appreciate the fun, the camaraderie, and the personal achievement that this sport offers.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
New Faces In Tamiami
A little late with this post but I did not forget about it. In fact I left this meet feeling pretty good about the future of our team. For a while I had been relying on a small core group of swimmers on my team to attend all the meets, and really get involved with the team. Now, however, I am seeing lots of new faces at the swim meets; parents and kids alike. Hopefully this is jsut the beggining.
To this meet I took a a lot of newer swimmers, and with a new swimmer it is so easy to make small corrections and go a best time. Kids are just learning what events they like, what kind of swimmer they are, and what kind of a competitor they are. I think we had a terrific showing. Even without many of my "regulars" we still took a bigger group. And these kids ripped it up. We left with lots of ribbons, medals,best times, and most importantly the desire to come to another meet to try our talents again.
Keep checking for updates as I will be trying to get more and more of you out to some more meets!
To this meet I took a a lot of newer swimmers, and with a new swimmer it is so easy to make small corrections and go a best time. Kids are just learning what events they like, what kind of swimmer they are, and what kind of a competitor they are. I think we had a terrific showing. Even without many of my "regulars" we still took a bigger group. And these kids ripped it up. We left with lots of ribbons, medals,best times, and most importantly the desire to come to another meet to try our talents again.
Keep checking for updates as I will be trying to get more and more of you out to some more meets!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
JO's and The Race Club Banquet
A lot has happened in the last week that is worth discussing. The first of which is JO's. I had a great time at that meet mostly becasue I always enjoy a championship meet. There is a certain air at JO's that doesnt exist at the other meets. The swimming is faster, the competition is better, everyone in on top of thier game, everyone wants to win or make finals. It is the type of environment where swimmers either thrive or wither up, and I think that our swimmers did a good job of stepping up and swimming fast. Our goal for the next JO's is to get some more swimmers to the meet, and also to get more swimmers into the finals. Most everyone that swam, however, did personal bests and put thier hearts into each race. In the end what can I really ask for besides swimmers competeing with a big heart and a strong spirit. Now, I am looking forward to the summer when I know everyones focus will be on swimming and swimmers will be getting a lot faster! I plan on showing up to the summer JO's ready to rock and roll!
For the second order of buisness I would like to discuss the fundraiser held by The Race Club on monday night. It was a great event called The Race To Bejing where we tried to raise money for our swimmers competing for the Olympics. I will say I think we had a lot of success. There was a great turnout and it was nice to see the Keys coming out to support our team and our sport. Also, I think it was important becasue everyone saw how much we do here at The Race Club. Yes, our main goal is to send people to the Olympic Games, but we also run several of the aquatic programs here in the Keys, and for the first time I felt that The Race Club was more connected to the community. We are trying to create a symbiotic relationship here in the Keys, and when people show that they care about what is going on here, it makes it more fun for us coaches to give back to the community. All in all it was a very successful event, and maybe I just enjoyed socializing, but I cant wait until the next one.
There will be a few practice time that are canelled. Please continue to check for updates.
For the second order of buisness I would like to discuss the fundraiser held by The Race Club on monday night. It was a great event called The Race To Bejing where we tried to raise money for our swimmers competing for the Olympics. I will say I think we had a lot of success. There was a great turnout and it was nice to see the Keys coming out to support our team and our sport. Also, I think it was important becasue everyone saw how much we do here at The Race Club. Yes, our main goal is to send people to the Olympic Games, but we also run several of the aquatic programs here in the Keys, and for the first time I felt that The Race Club was more connected to the community. We are trying to create a symbiotic relationship here in the Keys, and when people show that they care about what is going on here, it makes it more fun for us coaches to give back to the community. All in all it was a very successful event, and maybe I just enjoyed socializing, but I cant wait until the next one.
There will be a few practice time that are canelled. Please continue to check for updates.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Good Swim Videos
Most Recent World Record the 50 Free
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQPUlhqVJA4&feature=related
Jim Richardson, Head Women's Coach at the University of Michigan. A great coach who taught me a lot.
"The Moment Of Truth"
http://www.flocasts.org/floswimming/speakers.php?sid=560&vid=5618
"Nothing Wrong With Failure"
http://www.flocasts.org/floswimming/speakers.php?sid=560&vid=5618
Mike Bottom, a guy who is teaching me alot right now, reacts to the last meet.
http://www.flocasts.org/floswimming/speakers.php?sid=713
Dr. Hall a great swimmer himself talking about putting the past behind you.
http://www.flocasts.org/floswimming/speakers.php?sid=782
I find all of these videos at
http://www.flocasts.org/floswimming/index.php
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQPUlhqVJA4&feature=related
Jim Richardson, Head Women's Coach at the University of Michigan. A great coach who taught me a lot.
"The Moment Of Truth"
http://www.flocasts.org/floswimming/speakers.php?sid=560&vid=5618
"Nothing Wrong With Failure"
http://www.flocasts.org/floswimming/speakers.php?sid=560&vid=5618
Mike Bottom, a guy who is teaching me alot right now, reacts to the last meet.
http://www.flocasts.org/floswimming/speakers.php?sid=713
Dr. Hall a great swimmer himself talking about putting the past behind you.
http://www.flocasts.org/floswimming/speakers.php?sid=782
I find all of these videos at
http://www.flocasts.org/floswimming/index.php
Division II
So DII's finally happened. It is a meet that I have been focusing on, worrying about, preparing for, planning around since we all got back in the pool in the beginning of January. Quite honestly I was concerned that I couldn't get the kids back in shape and more importantly back in racing shape in a little over a month. So I developed a cyclical training plan, much like the one the swimmers on the Race Club use.
But no plan can ever work without consistency and commitment from parents and kids. We had that, and for that reason we found success.
DII's was overall a very positive meet. There were best times left and right. Alot of kids keep nudging closer to JO cuts, while others are just getting into the sport and are slowly becoming "pros." Kids were cheering, parents were cheering, and kids were swimming great. On the first day of the meet 5 of our 9 swimmers made the finals. In the finals we had 5 top three finishers, which means we brought back 5 medals. On the second day of the meet there were 10 swimmers and 7 made finals. A even better day because we had 2 JO cuts, and 3 top three finishers.
I also think we learned a lot of good lessons. I know that alot of kids that made finals had to figure out how to swim fast in the morning, make adjustments, and then swim faster at night. This is probably the most important lesson for anyone that ever wants to have a lot of success in the sport. I also think kids see the importance of focusing on the small things during workout. The goal now is to spend practice time becoming efficient in areas we were not. Becoming purposeful.
We have JO's this upcoming weekend so I am very excited. The trick for those kids is to fine tune everything and not change too much. It will be my goal to decide the balance between that adjustment, and a big correction. A lot of race simulation combined with low aerobic work. I am confident regardless. Not becasue of my training plan but becasue of these swimmer's commitment to be fast. That is always the most important thing.
I would also like to give a shout out to our parents who officiated the second day of the meet. I was the other one standing in the sun all day and I must say I appreciate your efforts. It is funny that for such a small team not only are we brining home a lot of the medals, but we are also keeping the meet alive.
I want to have another parents meeting in March. I am thinking the middle of March but do not have a specific date as of yet. These next few monthes will gear us up for the summer, and things must be discussed. Keep checking for updates...see you at the pool!
But no plan can ever work without consistency and commitment from parents and kids. We had that, and for that reason we found success.
DII's was overall a very positive meet. There were best times left and right. Alot of kids keep nudging closer to JO cuts, while others are just getting into the sport and are slowly becoming "pros." Kids were cheering, parents were cheering, and kids were swimming great. On the first day of the meet 5 of our 9 swimmers made the finals. In the finals we had 5 top three finishers, which means we brought back 5 medals. On the second day of the meet there were 10 swimmers and 7 made finals. A even better day because we had 2 JO cuts, and 3 top three finishers.
I also think we learned a lot of good lessons. I know that alot of kids that made finals had to figure out how to swim fast in the morning, make adjustments, and then swim faster at night. This is probably the most important lesson for anyone that ever wants to have a lot of success in the sport. I also think kids see the importance of focusing on the small things during workout. The goal now is to spend practice time becoming efficient in areas we were not. Becoming purposeful.
We have JO's this upcoming weekend so I am very excited. The trick for those kids is to fine tune everything and not change too much. It will be my goal to decide the balance between that adjustment, and a big correction. A lot of race simulation combined with low aerobic work. I am confident regardless. Not becasue of my training plan but becasue of these swimmer's commitment to be fast. That is always the most important thing.
I would also like to give a shout out to our parents who officiated the second day of the meet. I was the other one standing in the sun all day and I must say I appreciate your efforts. It is funny that for such a small team not only are we brining home a lot of the medals, but we are also keeping the meet alive.
I want to have another parents meeting in March. I am thinking the middle of March but do not have a specific date as of yet. These next few monthes will gear us up for the summer, and things must be discussed. Keep checking for updates...see you at the pool!
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Coral Springs Meet
I am a little late in posting this but we recently had a meet in Coral Springs. It is nice to see the swimmers coming out of hibernation and swimming in some meets. We took a bigger group this time, and as usual represented the Florida Keys pretty well. Many top 8 finishers, and kids are still dropping times after a long winter break wich makes me feel good. Also, we are still having kids attend thier first meet and that is always exciting.
I will say, however, that sometimes I am the one that needs to improve in areas, and meets are a great way to see that. I think I did a great job of getting the kids back in shape fast, but I did see swimmers getting sloppy with the small things like turns, starts, finishes etc. Now that most of us are back in shape we will be spending the next few weeks at practice refreshing our skills. Well, either that or racing!
Either way I am still looking at some March meets and will be posting those shortly. We have DII's and JO's coming up, and I think I am not the only one who is excited. Keep checking for updates
I will say, however, that sometimes I am the one that needs to improve in areas, and meets are a great way to see that. I think I did a great job of getting the kids back in shape fast, but I did see swimmers getting sloppy with the small things like turns, starts, finishes etc. Now that most of us are back in shape we will be spending the next few weeks at practice refreshing our skills. Well, either that or racing!
Either way I am still looking at some March meets and will be posting those shortly. We have DII's and JO's coming up, and I think I am not the only one who is excited. Keep checking for updates
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