Paul Newsome - Swim Smooth: The Complete Coaching System for Swimmers and Triathletes

Contents

This edition first published 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 2012 SwimSmooth

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Newsome, Paul S., 1978

Swim smooth : the complete coaching programme for swimmers and triathletes / by Paul Newsome and Adam Young.

p. cm.

Includes index.

ISBN 978-1-119-96319-6

1. SwimmingCoaching. 2. SwimmingTraining. I. Young, Adam. II. Title.

GV837.65. N49 2012

797.21dc23 2012008183

ISBN: 978-1-119-96319-6 (pbk) ISBN: 978-1-119-96804-7 (ebk)

ISBN: 978-1-119-96806-1 (ebk) ISBN: 978-1-119-96805-4 (ebk)

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

Foreword

We were delighted to be asked to write the foreword for Swim Smooth . As the National Governing Body for the development of triathlon coaching and coaches in Great Britain, our mission is focused on developing a world-leading triathlon coaching system, and indeed world class coaches to support the development of triathletes at all levels, from grassroots to high performance. As part of a recent review of our coach education system, and supporting learning resources, we identified the need to bring in respected specialists in a variety of areas to help us provide the most up-to-date innovative thinking. Swim Smooth was identified to support us on the swim coaching aspect of our education programmes.

We didnt just want a swim expert per se, we needed a company that understood triathlon swimming and, crucially, how to coach it in a real context. Swim Smooth has built an impressive international reputation and it is exciting that we can now utilise their experience and skills as part of our coaching programme. Swim Smooth will add significant value to our coaching delivery as the demand for coaches in the fast growing modern Olympic sport of triathlon continues to grow year on year.

Feedback from the coaches has always mentioned how the Swim Smooth section has improved their swim coaching. New and developing coaches have engaged with Swim Smooth coaching methods and new drills. One of Swim Smooths introductory breathing drills breathe-bubble-bubble-breathe is an excellent example of a simple but highly effective drill any coach can use to make an immediate improvement with any level of athlete. Swim Smooths methodical step-by-step approach to swim coaching helps remove the clutter which many swimmers report they feel when trying to improve their technique.

We look forward to a long and successful partnership with Swim Smooth, and seeing the benefits and added value for our coaches, athletes and the wider sport.

Paul Moss, Coaching Development Manager, British Triathlon

Giles OBrien, Coach Education Officer, British Triathlon

Preface

The 11-Year-Old Girl

You are in the pool one day, enjoying being in the water and working on your freestyle swimming. You are pretty happy with the progress you have been making and swimming is definitely becoming easier and a little quicker too which is really satisfying. You set off for a few more laps and then suddenly in the next lane over a young girl jumps in the water, probably about 11 years old, and comes flying past you like you are barely moving. Before you know it she has executed a perfect tumble turn and comes back past you the other way, a near blur of fast moving, perfectly synchronised arms and legs.

If you are an adult who has been swimming for a little while you have almost certainly had a similar experience to this. It can be quite a shock and even disheartening. How can she do that? She is just a kid!. Dont worry, everyone has been passed by a much faster swimmer at some point in their lives and made to feel a little inadequate. Kids are not as physically strong as adults and dont have the option of muscling their way through the water; instead they must use a good stroke technique and high levels of aerobic fitness to propel themselves quickly forwards. The fact that someone so small with very little strength can swim so quickly shows you what amazing potential each of us has in the water if we too can develop these areas of our swimming. Try not to be disheartened by the speed of fast swimmers but instead see them as an inspiration: how a child can swim so well and be so comfortable in the water is an amazing thing and there are many lessons the aspiring adult swimmer can learn from them.

This book is devoted to anyone looking to improve their freestyle swimming. You might be very new to swimming and are trying to become more comfortable in the water. Or perhaps you are a triathlete or open water swimmer looking to improve your speed and efficiency and move up through the field. Or you might be a top-age group or elite swimmer searching for a cutting edge in your races. Whatever your level, we have worked with hundreds of swimmers just like you, both in our coaching base in Perth, Australia and on our international clinic tours. We have developed and improved each and every one of those swimmers and as you will discover in this book, we know how to improve your individual swimming too.