Pool Training | Mediterra Swim & Run

Coach, Is It Correct?

by Coach Mat | 14 Dec, 2013

Here is a common question I hear from swimmers devotedly practicing their drills: How do I know if it is correct? (“It” being any one of many passive positions of a body part or a particular movement pattern.) The answer to that question depends on what...

Practice: Breathing

by Coach Mat | 14 Nov, 2013

I am posting this practice with my workshop students in mind. The terminology will make most sense to those who’ve taken TI lessons or a workshop before where we’ve introduced you to both the unique breathing Focal Points and the understanding for how to...

Snorkel For Drills?

by Coach Mat | 10 Aug, 2013

Here is a question I am often asked in workshops: “Can I use a snorkel when doing drills?” The short answer is “Yes.” The obvious advantage in using a snorkel while doing drills is that it allows the swimmer to concentrate on the drill without...

Pace Practice For 1500

by Coach Mat | 27 Jul, 2013

How do you set up a practice to train for 1500? A long-time friend of mine emailed me his latest 3000 yard workout, sharing his results for some 500 repeats he made with the 1500 triathlon swim as his target. His (traditional) approach is to jump in the pool and just...

Tune-Up Quick Guide

by Coach Mat | 12 Mar, 2013

Here is a more simplified guide on how a Tune-Up could be constructed: Distance/Duration: It could be from 10 minutes to 15 minutes for an already well-tuned swimmer, to the entire practice for an out-of-tune swimmer. I am very reluctant to lay out actual distance or...

How To Construct A Tune-Up

by Coach Mat | 8 Mar, 2013

So what exactly might a ‘Tune-Up’ look like? It is a sequence of steps I take to prepare my mind and body for the main task of the practice. It’s a series of steps, or a routine even, for bringing each essential piece into line so the swimmer (me)...