Simplified Improvement Strategy

by Coach Mat | 3 Dec, 2012

Here is a guideline for how to take a neurological perspective into your advanced performance training. So many students ask for advice on how to structure their practice times so we’d like to offer at least one idea for how to do that, though we could propose many...

Drill Guidelines

by Coach Mat | 3 Dec, 2012

The question is often (and naturally) asked after our workshops, “How do I start to practice all this next week?” TI introduces you to a new way to train. It is based on a neurological perspective, that places the practice of swimming in the realm of how we would...

3 Principles Of TI

by Coach Mat | 3 Dec, 2012

Balance Fore/Aft Balance- create a rigid frame along the spine, balance over chest using weight of the head and arms in front versus the legs and hips in back. Rotational Balance- create a rigid frame held at an angle by activing core muscles. Streamline Passive...

C U With My Hands

by Coach Mat | 1 Dec, 2012

What does swimming and swim coaching have to do with a pomegranate? My family and I are fortunate to have a few pomegranate trees in our yard. Deep red and deeply sweet like this one appears to be. They are a rewarding treat, but a seemingly chaotic bundle of juice...

Begin The Catch

by Coach Mat | 27 Nov, 2012

I am enjoying the comments and questions on this topic. But we may be reaching the limits of what I may be able to effectively describe with words. I will do my best… Here is a play-by-play, radio commentary on what I think about when forming the catch: The...

Slip Or Slide

by Coach Mat | 26 Nov, 2012

This post is in response to a question (in the comments section) I just received on my blog post Power From The Core. It’s building upon what was discussed in the previous post, Measuring The Catch. There’s much more on this blog, you can just do a little...

Measuring The Catch

by Coach Mat | 23 Nov, 2012

Here is a question I just received on my post Power From The Core… Is it possible to guess how much difference there are between a good and a bad catch, if counting SPL and if other factors are equal? My answer is given here to provide a better chance that it...

Work Smarter

by Coach Mat | 21 Nov, 2012

In support of what I wrote in the last post, coincidentally, here is an excerpt from what Coach Terry sent out to TI Coaches worldwide today: Do you recall the TI Swimming Success Algorithm? It comes from data collected by USA Swimming at the Olympic Swim Trials from...

Improving Stroke Timing

by Coach Mat | 21 Nov, 2012

I’ve been experimenting with a new way to use the Tempo Trainer in adjusting the stroke timing, in order to preserve a long stroke at faster tempos. In TI we use a Focal Point called the Patient Front Arm to help train this skill. This long stroke skill is...

Cool Discomfort Zone

by Coach Mat | 17 Nov, 2012

Last spring, as the cool Mediterranean Sea was gradually warming up under the sun, I noted this observation: I was more chilled in 23 C (74 F)water than in 22 C (72 F). I had started swimming in March when the water was 19 C (67 F) and used my quickjohn sleeveless...