Motor Learning | Mediterra Swim & Run

Hip-Leg Alignment

by Coach Mat | 8 Nov, 2013

Another problem area for the swimmer is in the hip and leg alignment. I will first re-state that the head is the anchor for alignment of all these other body parts. Work on the head first, then the lower back, hips and legs will be much, much easier to correct. So if...

Core Strength And Control

by Coach Mat | 30 Oct, 2013

Recently, I’ve gotten a few requests for more input on core body strength and spine alignment so I will share some comments I have been giving students in my lessons… First of all, we are land mammals. We have all grown up learning to standing vertical...

Your Fix-It List

by Coach Mat | 23 Oct, 2013

Nearly all my private workshop students make a comment something like this after about an hour or two into our first lesson filled with stroke analysis and stroke re-formation… “I have SO MUCH to work on!” Now, just as you read that phrase, I wonder...

The Effort In Effortless

by Coach Mat | 12 Oct, 2013

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...

2-Beat Kick And Learning

by Coach Mat | 31 Aug, 2013

Here is a follow-up to 2-Beat Kick Steps… ** Have you been struggling to get in sync with the 2-Beat Kick? You are not alone, for sure. But don’t give up. Many people give up on it because they stumble at the beginning and quickly feel frustrated and...

Slide And Glide Example

by Coach Mat | 10 Jun, 2013

A recent comment I received on my post Long Live ‘Slide-And-Glide’ (drill) asked for a video example of this. I think Shinji’s 9-stroke video gets the idea across. Notice how there is no pause in the stroke. One arm is always moving, and moving...