Problem Solving In Open Water

by Coach Mat | 7 Jun, 2013

We can divide the teaching we give in our private lessons, camps, and workshops in two categories: 1) Stroke and Swimming Skills 2) Problem-Solving Skills “Problem-Solving?” you might ask. (The sunset view from the veranda of our hotel here in Kaş where we...

Feel For Feedback

by Coach Mat | 2 Jun, 2013

Have you ever asked your coach, “Hey, look at me. Am I doing this right?” What are you trying to get with that question? Feedback. You need feedback to tell whether you are doing the right thing or not so you can make some improvement. There’s no way...

Imprinting A Quality Catch

by Coach Mat | 23 May, 2013

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...

Opportunity Cost

by Coach Mat | 15 May, 2013

Here is a snippet of a comment I received on the the recent post No Bubbles To Eat: I have only been doing the TI method for two months and I am a competitive swimmer which messes me up…when i have to go fast. Here was my response to that part of it (and I’ve...

Got Talent?

by Coach Mat | 13 May, 2013

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...

No Bubbles To Eat

by Coach Mat | 7 May, 2013

Recently we conducted a TI Coach training camp in Poznan Poland at the amazing Termy Maltanskie olympic pool and aqua park complex. (It will be the site of the 2014 European Championships, I believe). On the last day while doing some sync swimming and video in the 25m...

Set Up The Solution

by Coach Mat | 4 May, 2013

Let me lay out the thinking behind how a TI Coach may set up the solution for a swimmer’s problem. This should be helpful to you who are self-coaching – afterall, it is our goal to help you think like a TI Coach thinks so you can improve your own swimming. At...

Rest Days

by Coach Mat | 29 Apr, 2013

At a recent workshop a swimmer showed me his extensive record (on a long computer print out) of all the practices he has completed this year – it appeared to cover every day of the last 4 months. He was quick to acknowledge the impression it made by noting that...

Swimming And Depression

by Coach Mat | 21 Apr, 2013

I wrote some time ago about my experience of depression and how swimming really helps. A couple weeks ago I returned home from a medical emergency trip to the US for a family member there. It was the right move no doubt and well worth the price paid to go. But I did...

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...