Sensory Swimming

by Coach Mat | 2 Jun, 2012

What is the purpose of drills? Yes, the drills we use will help us build a beautiful and effective stroke. But they are also there, as importantly, to help us build a deep sensitivity to the water and our body sliding through it. We are not a machine, though sometimes...

Swimming Through Depression

by Coach Mat | 31 May, 2012

A few weeks ago I was hit with depression for about 4 days. I lost my energy and enthusiasm for anything. I just wanted to sleep and sleep until the exhaustion and gloom left. This doesn’t happen so often any more. I’ve lived overseas for over 4 years now-...

Success Through Failure

by Coach Mat | 30 May, 2012

TI in Poland Heach Coach Pawel Lewicki and I just finished another successful Total Immersion Coach Certification Camp a couple days ago in Jarocin, Poland. This one was better than ever. We had great students (as usual) and added even better features to the training...

Smart Speed Part 3- Patient Pursuit of Technique

by Coach Mat | 22 May, 2012

This essay will explain the why I advocate for a Technique-oriented training strategy. Whether you seek ultimate speed, racing performance, fitness or to enjoy endless peaceful swimming, building your platform for superior swimming on technique will give you the best...

Precision Over Power

by Coach Mat | 22 May, 2012

I would like to make an argument for setting technique as a priority in your training. It’s a common theme in my blog. In other sports this would not be necessary, but for some reason swimming is dominated by people who think power is everything. I see signs of...

Measuring Quality in Open-Water

by Coach Mat | 12 May, 2012

In rock climbing, when trying to climb a route ‘clean’ (no falls, no hanging on the rope) the artist has no room for mistakes. A mis-step, a mis-catch causes a fall and the climber is obligated to start over. The whole climb has to be executed without a...

Masters versus Mastery

by Coach Mat | 8 May, 2012

I just read a Facebook comment from a swimmer friend coming to terms with aging and slowing down in the pool- a return to his Masters Swimming group after many years away (spent swimming impressively in open-water, I believe) where he now found himself in the...

Race-Crashing

by Coach Mat | 5 May, 2012

I had some spontaneous fun today… I snuck into the 1500 meter swim portion of the Antalya Olympic-distance triathlon today! Something I don’t think I could ever get away with back in my homeland. I came down to meet up with some new Antalya swimmer friends...

Shinji-Like Kick

by Coach Mat | 2 May, 2012

This last weekend TI Coach Ricardo (Tenerife, Spain) and I were examining a post in the TI Forum from a swimmer who had just completed an advanced workshop with TI President and Master Coach Shinji. Shinji is known for being a master of intricate detail and...

Breathe Easy

by Coach Mat | 17 Apr, 2012

Recently, I have had three different swimmers come to me with specific complaints about being out of breath from swimming just a lap or two. There are likely a few more possible causes, but here are the three that I run into more often: 1. Struggle Obviously, then...