Metrics 101: Stroke Length

by Coach Mat | 1 Apr, 2014

What is Stroke Length? Stroke length is how far your body travels forward on each arm stroke. It is like measuring the distance you move forward on each step or stride. We can easily feel Stride Length and see it on land as we walk or run. It makes sense to us as Land...

Metrics 102: Slow Tempo

by Coach Mat | 30 Mar, 2014

Why swim at slower than normal tempos? Practicing at slower-than-normal Tempos exposes your weaknesses in balance, stability – which make up the greatest portion of a swimmer’s excessive drag and energy waste. And that is the first crux in the...

Metrics 102: Tempo

by Coach Mat | 23 Mar, 2014

What is Tempo? In swimming jargon, and in TI Swimming in particular, Tempo refers to the number of seconds between each arm stroke. If you were to swim with a Tempo of 1.00 seconds, that would mean that there is precisely 1.00 seconds between the moment your right...

Three Training Values

by Coach Mat | 19 Mar, 2014

Here are three values that I identify in our TI training: Speed is a product of work. What kind of work? Work to reduce resistance coming against us. Work to over-power what resistance is left after Work #1. Speed is one measurement of how well we accomplish those two...

Stepping Stone Solutions

by Coach Mat | 15 Mar, 2014

Stepping Stone Solutions: Breaking A Complex Problem into Solvable Parts, and Using Failure Points For Success ** When trying to develop any one of several complex skills involved in swimming we need to break it down into the right size pieces so that we can...

Metrics 101: SPL Development Process

by Coach Mat | 9 Mar, 2014

First reference these previous two posts: Metrics 101: Stroke Length Metrics 101: Aim For Stroke Length Ease Let me explain a bit about the SPL (or Stroke Length) Development Process:   Step 1. Reach SPL range. In the first stage you are developing the ability to...

Metrics 101: Aim For Stroke Length Ease

by Coach Mat | 5 Mar, 2014

This is related to the previous and following posts: Metrics 101: Stroke Length Metrics 101: SPL Development Process Here is a comment I received from a swimmer recently (and asked permission to repost): My usual SPL is around 17/18. On really slow tempos–1.6...

Simple Practice Plan

by Coach Mat | 23 Feb, 2014

I’ve been training in swimming, and in other activities, for so many years that I take it for granted what a practice may look like. I also realize our insider swimming jargon can confuse a new initiate. I was reminded of this recently: my wife does not have a...

Breathing Patterns

by Coach Mat | 15 Feb, 2014

What breathing pattern should I use? We take it for granted that we can breathe while running or while doing just about anything on land. Most probably pay no attention to it, as we can rely on our parasympathetic nervous system to keep exchanging that air for us...

Technique And Fitness Unite

by Coach Mat | 9 Feb, 2014

I first acknowledge that TI Head Coach Terry is emphasizing this topic lately. It’s not coincidental that I am processing these ideas at the same time, though it is timely since several TI students have been asking for better understanding in this very area. So,...