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

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...

The Role Of Heart Rate

by Coach Mat | 25 Sep, 2012

Another question came up soon after the Kickboard question: What about training and Heart Rate? Heart rate is a response in the body, not a causation. You don’t ‘train’ your heart rate, instead your heart rate gives you information about your...

Long Live ‘Slide And Glide’

by Coach Mat | 19 Jun, 2012

I’ve been prescribing the classic TI drill “Slide and Glide” a lot recently. I used this for hundreds of hours in my early self-taught TI days, and it is still my favorite warm-up or warm-down drill. It’s a great way to pull together the focus...

Smart Speed Part 2

by Coach Mat | 31 Mar, 2012

Smart Speed Part 2 – Effective Stroke Rate We looking at the next part of our Speed Equation in this essay: Speed = Stroke Length (SL) x Stroke Rate (SR) In the previous essay I introduced Stroke Length and discussed how we can each find our own optimal SL for various...