Streamline Skills | Mediterra Swim & Run

Over-Glide Problem?

by Coach Mat | 16 Apr, 2013

OVER-gliding is cited by some as a terrible problem in a swimmer’s stroke. UNDER-gliding is also a problem – a far more grave problem really, and unfortunately, left terribly under addressed in many coaching programs. Have you ever felt or been criticized...

Best Head Position?

by Coach Mat | 27 Dec, 2012

When I do childrens lessons I keep a 20m section of rope in my swim gadget basket. I tie a small loop in one end. Then I give that loop to a swimmer, have them get out in the pool to the end of the rope. I stand on deck ready to reel the rope in. They will lay flat on...

A Better Push-Off

by Coach Mat | 23 Dec, 2012

Experimenting with head position during push-off from the pool wall is a great exercise, as it will build the feel for which position is truly the most hydrodynamic. In pool training I have a regular habit of marking the 6m mark (just past the flags), either by noting...

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...

Simple Steps For Children

by Coach Mat | 5 Jul, 2012

Or maybe I should title this, “Simple Steps For Teaching Children In Groups” For the last 3 summers I have been giving group lessons to children at a private international school. It may be of interest to some of you to read what I do with them. This...

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...