by Coach Mat | 25 Nov, 2017 | Distance Training, Energy Management, Propulsion Skills, Speed, SPL, Stroke Length (SL), Tempo, Stroke Rate (SR), Training Theory
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...
by Coach Mat | 18 Nov, 2017 | About Coach Mat, Energy Management, Propulsion Skills, Speed, Speed and Pace, SPL, Stroke Length (SL), Streamline Skills
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...
by Coach Mat | 12 Oct, 2013 | Energy Management, Exhaustion, HR, Effort & Ease, Increasing Energy, Muscle Tone & Control, Neuromuscular Training, Propulsion Skills, Self-Coaching, The Catch, The Kick, TI Philosophy
Recently this questions has come up few times in various forms: How effortless should effortless swimming be? And here is one way I’ve answered that question: The sensation of effortless is relative – when you compare the sensation of swimming once...
by Coach Mat | 28 Aug, 2013 | Propulsion Skills, Self-Coaching, The Kick
Are you one of those swimmers who has been trying to integrate the 2-Beat Kick (2BK) into your stroke lately? Don’t feel bad if you have been struggling. I would say at least half my students find this really complicated in the first few months of practicing TI...
by Coach Mat | 23 May, 2013 | Competitive/Performance Training, Injury Management, Lessons From Elites, Mastery Process, Open Water Training, Propulsion Skills, The Catch
Here are some great questions from a comment on Opportunity Cost. He is asking about Early Vertical Forearm (EVF) and what to expect in establishing this skill: I’ve been musing on this very thing [opportunity costs] in my TI practice. I’ve recently...
by Coach Mat | 13 May, 2013 | Balance Skills, Lessons From Elites, Motivating Swimmers, Neurological Training, Propulsion Skills, Self-Coaching, TI Philosophy
Here is my two-cents to add to those who’ve been doing a great job busting the myths behind talent (Like Daniel Coyle in The Talent Code): Talent is just the gift of a head-start. It isn’t what gets you through a practice, across the finish line or onto...
