How Does Speed Happen? Part 1

by Coach Mat | 2 Feb, 2014

I am continually looking for ways to make this more easily understood to swimmers. Speed, and more importantly – sustainable speed – is dependent on both technique and fitness, not one or the other. The training must not be separated from each other. And...

More Pearls Of TI Insight

by Coach Mat | 31 Jan, 2014

Since you are reading this blog on a regular basis, I would like to invite you to sign up to receive another one by email – The TI Academy blog. This blog produces short, inspirational, practical tips culled directly from a wide range of Total Immersion teaching...

What Is Your Target?

by Coach Mat | 26 Jan, 2014

Let’s take a look at this perspective then enjoy a practice set to apply it… “Our actions are shaped by our intentions,” is the first sentence in the chapter entitle What Is Your Target?, in Part 2 of of Zen Golf, by Dr. Joseph Parent. He goes...

Why Count Strokes?

by Coach Mat | 19 Jan, 2014

Why should I count my strokes? Here is my short list of reasons: My stroke quality is predominantly a neurological skill The brain needs feedback in order to evaluate and make improvements in its motor-control over the stroke. Counting strokes is the first, basic form...

Swim Inside Out

by Coach Mat | 12 Jan, 2014

I will pull this quote from my previous essay because I want to elaborate a little more… As swimmers we need to realize that what happens inside the body is far more important than what we see happening on the outside. The outside of the swimmer is a product of...

Over-Thinking?

by Coach Mat | 5 Jan, 2014

Have you ever had someone say to you, “You’re thinking too much!” ? Or, perhaps, “Quite thinking about it and just do it.” ? One one hand, it makes sense. We kind-a-know what this means, that over-thinking is some ambiguous negative thing...

The Perfect Stroke

by Coach Mat | 29 Dec, 2013

When you read the words, “The Perfect Stroke” what comes to your mind? When you read the words, “Your Most Perfect Stroke,” what comes to your mind? Most likely, these two phrases conjured up different images, sensations, and memories for you....

Coach, Is It Correct?

by Coach Mat | 14 Dec, 2013

Here is a common question I hear from swimmers devotedly practicing their drills: How do I know if it is correct? (“It” being any one of many passive positions of a body part or a particular movement pattern.) The answer to that question depends on what...

When To Move On

by Coach Mat | 30 Nov, 2013

Here is re-post of a response I gave on the new TI Academy discussion forums. (If you haven’t heard about the TI Academy yet, let me know and I will explain it to you and add you to the mailing list). ** It’s a great question – How do I know when to...

Awareness Gap

by Coach Mat | 28 Nov, 2013

There is a common experience swimmers may run into after a workshop in particular – I might call it the ‘Awareness Gap’. Here is the scenario: A swimmer who has been practicing TI on his own comes to a workshop with a list of things he wants to work...