Focal Points | Mediterra Swim & Run

Moving From Novice To Expert – Part 3

by Coach Mat | 12 Jan, 2019

Continued from Part 2… I’ve mentioned before that my wife, Gail, is an ‘occupational therapist’. Occupational therapists, as they are called in the US, help people learn (or relearn) how to accomplish daily tasks that their damaged brain lost...

Moving From Novice To Expert – Part 1

by Coach Mat | 29 Dec, 2018

It should be well understood that there is a process, and usually a long process we must follow in moving from a novice to an expert in the fundamental skills for an art or sport. There is a process or a path to follow, but there is not a single ‘recipe’...

Moving From Novice To Expert – Part 2

by Coach Mat | 29 Dec, 2018

Continued from Part 1… Stages Of Attention Control Not only is your neuromuscular (motor) control being trained, so is your attention, because the two are working together intimately in the development process. At first the attention is directed onto the part of...

Four Step Training Progression – Part 1

by Coach Mat | 2 Oct, 2017

Inspired by what we just experienced this week at our distance training camp in Kaş Turkey, I wanted to share a bit how we set up our training at these kind of events. At swim camps we have a special opportunity to work with our swimmers for several consecutive days...

What Is Relaxation?

by Coach Mat | 3 Dec, 2016

A couple weeks ago I participated in a Chi Running workshop led by Master Coach Alice Diffely in Portland, Oregon USA. To prepare for the workshop I was reviewing some chapters in the Chi Running book to refresh my memory of the principles, drills and focal points. I...

Using Drills Appropriately

by Coach Mat | 14 Nov, 2015

I received this comment on a blog post recently… I tried to practice Spear Switch drill. I do this along with two beat kick instead of flutter. When I switch, I don’t see any forward propulsion in my body due to the switch or kick. I do see a propulsion due to...