Practice Design | Mediterra Swim & Run

How Much Drill Work?

by Coach Mat | 4 Oct, 2014

This question came up recently in the context of how we should go about training at home after swim camp (or workshop). So, I would like to elaborate here on the comments I made at camp… How much drill work should I do? Good question, but it is not easy to give...

Metrics In Open Water: How To Train

by Coach Mat | 20 Jul, 2014

For most swimmers who desire it training in open-water may still only be an occasional or seasonal experience. That means most swimmers practice in the pool, swimming and measuring things between walls – this is ‘normal’ while swimming without walls...

Stepping Stone Solutions

by Coach Mat | 15 Mar, 2014

Stepping Stone Solutions: Breaking A Complex Problem into Solvable Parts, and Using Failure Points For Success ** When trying to develop any one of several complex skills involved in swimming we need to break it down into the right size pieces so that we can...

Metrics 101: SPL Development Process

by Coach Mat | 9 Mar, 2014

First reference these previous two posts: Metrics 101: Stroke Length Metrics 101: Aim For Stroke Length Ease Let me explain a bit about the SPL (or Stroke Length) Development Process: Step 1. Reach SPL range. In the first stage you are developing the ability to...

Metrics 101: Aim For Stroke Length Ease

by Coach Mat | 5 Mar, 2014

This is related to the previous and following posts: Metrics 101: Stroke Length Metrics 101: SPL Development Process Here is a comment I received from a swimmer recently (and asked permission to repost): My usual SPL is around 17/18. On really slow tempos–1.6...

Simple Practice Plan

by Coach Mat | 23 Feb, 2014

I’ve been training in swimming, and in other activities, for so many years that I take it for granted what a practice may look like. I also realize our insider swimming jargon can confuse a new initiate. I was reminded of this recently: my wife does not have a...