BARRACUDA AQUATICS CLUB TECHNIQUE PHILOSOPHY

Coach’s Approach

• Biggest improvement will be from technique

• Training vs. Technique

• What will it take?

• Communication, self-esteem, focus and persistency

• Will be working from the mid-body out to the extremities

• Technique Excellence under Stress & Fatigue = Competitive Swimming

• “Talent” is the ability to produce & deliver energy efficiently

• May have to overcome more to deliver

• Efficient Swimming = Fast Swimming (Min/Max Swimming)

Swimmer’s Approach

• All drills must be done with ATTENTION, FOCUS & PERFECTION

• Must approach your technique with:

• Communication: With your coach

• Self-Esteem: Must believe it can be done

• Focus: Must bring the correct technique to everything

• Persistence: Realize this is not an overnight fix

• Must have the ability to change and have an open mind

• Leave your ego at the door

• Technique must be priority not just when drills are done but in sets, warm ups and cool downs

Body Position/Extremities

• Areas of Emphasis: Balance, Head Position, Rotation, Patience, Arm Positioning, Rhythm & Timing

• Consistency from stroke to stroke

• Everything works together as one

• Work your extremities into what your mid-body is doing

• Early Vertical Forearm (EVF) position is a must for Freestyle, Backstroke and Butterfly

• Need to understand that EVF is the difference between every level of swimmer

• Need to understand that stroke recoveries must not be forced

Power & Speed

• Energy originates in the middle of the body and it is propelled by the hips (power source)

• Hips are an energy valve; the more open the more energy

• Keep that energy flowing forward

• Looking for continuous forward motion; no energy breaks

• Hitch in a stroke is an energy break

• Everything contributes to your forward momentum

• Long Axis Swimming: Tall & narrow

• Short Axis Swimming: Rhythm & timing