SPL, Stroke Length (SL) | Mediterra Swim & Run

Should We Use Tempo Or Stroke Rate?

by Coach Mat | 21 Apr, 2018

In swimming measurements, do you know the difference between seconds per stroke and strokes per minute? Or the difference between tempo and stroke rate? Or when to use one over the other? Don’t worry if you don’t know, or don’t care. But sometimes...

Adults Need Self Limiting Exercises

by Coach Mat | 4 Mar, 2018

I can’t emphasize this enough, because it is a cornerstone of our care for adult athletes: we train for superior technique because that is what is going to keep our body pleasantly functional into our oldest age . Taking off from the way it was said in the...

Why Is Superior Form Harder To Maintain?

by Coach Mat | 25 Feb, 2018

A member of our online training site, the Mediterra Swim Dojo, has been noticing that after a certain distance in a training set, his stroke quality deteriorates which results in his stroke count (strokes per length of the pool) going up uncontrollably. He asked a...

You Must Use Momentum – Part 2

by Coach Mat | 25 Nov, 2017

This discussion is continued from Part 1… If body shape, stroke pattern and stroke length were equal between two swimmers, but one swimmer is sending her recovery arm forward with better momentum and directing that into her sleek Skate Position, she would be...

You Must Use Momentum – Part 1

by Coach Mat | 18 Nov, 2017

Here is something I explain to my swimmers when we’re building (or re-building) the freestyle stroke for the first time. This is meant to help students on each extreme: those who are too anxious to start moving faster, and those who are too reluctant to add more...

Improve Your Weekly Practice Plan

by Coach Mat | 7 Sep, 2016

This week at swim camp in Kaş Turkey I was talking with one of our devoted swim practitioners. He pointed out an insight he gained from his recent work in our Training Plan 5K in the Online Coaching Program. Like every mastery-minded swimmer, he has many skill...