Learning Methods | Mediterra Swim & Run

Stroke Correction By Yourself

by Coach Mat | 2 Nov, 2014

I have worked on answering a variation of this question previously (here), but I like to keep working on it. It came up again at our last swim camp this season: “How do I practice at home? I don’t want to practice something wrong.” How do I make a...

Mindfulness In/Out Of Water – Part 3

by Coach Mat | 25 Oct, 2014

Continued from Part 2… Now I will move on to some practical suggestions. A few weeks ago one swimmer commented on my post Going Further From Inside: I have read and reread this article several times. Is there any way to incorporate this inner awareness...

Enemy Of Improvement

by Coach Mat | 20 Apr, 2014

When we consider the goal of continual swimming improvement what is or are our enemies to that goal? A body that doesn’t want to work hard? A mind that is afraid of pain? Boredom? A lack of talent? Not enough time? I suggest that these are the real Enemies Of...

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...

Why Count Strokes?

by Coach Mat | 19 Jan, 2014

Why should I count my strokes? Here is my short list of reasons: My stroke quality is predominantly a neurological skill The brain needs feedback in order to evaluate and make improvements in its motor-control over the stroke. Counting strokes is the first, basic form...

When To Move On

by Coach Mat | 30 Nov, 2013

Here is re-post of a response I gave on the new TI Academy discussion forums. (If you haven’t heard about the TI Academy yet, let me know and I will explain it to you and add you to the mailing list). ** It’s a great question – How do I know when to...