Skills IN the Set, Not Before It

By Wayne Goldsmith

Introduction:

Every swimming coach does drills and skills work at the same time in their practices. We can do it differently and better!

Three Critical Learning Points:

* The typical structure — drills and skills first, main set second — means technique is generally practised when swimmers are fresh.

* Skills that only work when rested aren’t race-ready skills.

* The fix: integrate drills and technique work DURING your main sets, not before them.

Time to Change!

Here’s what I see at pools all over the world.

Warm-up. Then drill work — catch-up, fingertip drag, six-kick switch, whatever your favourites are. Nice and controlled. Good feedback. Technical focus.

Then the main set. Now it’s about fitness. Physiology. Pushing through.

Technique? That was earlier.