The Third 50 - E9 - Getting Better at Getting Better!

Some coaches have been coaching for 20 years. The question is - do you really have 20 years of experience - or do you have 1 year of experience….20 times over.

Humans have a tendency to fall into routines and repeat things. In coaching this can mean you end up doing the same things, the same way, over and over and over.

Life is changing rapidly.

Kids are learning faster and they learn differently!

Kids communicate differently.

Kids are looking for more real, more connected, more genuine relationships from teachers, coaches, etc

And at the same time - the sport is getting FASTER!!!

In this episode Glenn and Wayne discuss coaching. They talk about coaching from the perspective of getting better at coaching - and getting better at getting better!

They consider:

• Creativity in coaching - finding new and more engaging ways to coach skills and other capabilities;
• Building and growing relationships with kids - with other coaches - with parents / carers;
• Coaching coaches - how can coaches continue to learn, to grow and to improve over time;
• Reflection - how can coaches review / reflect on their own coaching and accelerate their own learning - and why this is important;
• Communication with kids - how to connect, engage and inspire kids;
• Empowerment - empowering swimmers to take ownership and responsibility for their destiny!

Sometimes...ya just gotta stop - and think and ask WHY:

• Why do we need to keep doing long warm ups for young swimmers? They train in a warm, body weight supported environment…..
• Why do we do repeats over full lengths? Why always 25 / 50 / 100 / 200 etc.
• Why do we separate DRILLS from SETS? Why can’t we integrate them?
• Why do we long main sets, accepting poor technique and skills as the swimmers get tired in the interest of keeping “heart-rate” up in a target zone?
• Why do we do “speed development” sets at the end of a long, hard workout - the second workout of the day?
• Why do we make sprinters do long, grinding threshold work - when it doesn’t help them get faster or stronger or better at sprinting?

Why The Third 50?

Because it's the third 50 of a 200 that matters. (We could have called this The Third 100 because it's the same principle!)

• The 1st 50 is fast because you're fresh and fired up, ready to race.

• The 2nd 50 flows because you're trying to relax and keep it smooth.

• The 4th 50 is about fighting and staying strong to the finish.

But the 3rd 50 is where the magic happens. It's where the integration of your mind and body, your skills and technique, your stroke mechanics, and your hard training all come together.

The 3rd 50 is the "championship" lap, where the great swimmers take control of themselves and the race and power away to victory.

We want to share our almost 80 years of experience with coaches, swimming teachers, swimmers, triathletes, and people who love being in and around the water worldwide.

Who Are Wayne and Glenn?

Wayne Goldsmith is an Australian coach, mentor, writer, speaker, and presenter. He's worked in swimming for over 30 years and is an internationally respected sports performance professional. He's been recognized for his contribution to the sport of swimming with the Outstanding Contribution to Swimming in Australia Award and been recently received the Al Schoenfield Award from the International Swimming Hall of Fame.

Visit Wayne's Website - https://wgcoaching.com/

Glenn Mills is an American coach, writer, and video producer.  He's been involved in swimming for over 55 years.  He's competed at every level of the sport, from winning the US Olympic Trials and NCAA Championships and even setting a few Masters World Records.  For over 25 years, he's produced swimming technique content as the Co-Founder of GoSwim.tv, the Official Technique Partner with USA Swimming.  He has also won the Paragon Award from the International Swimming Hall of Fame for his contribution to competitive swimming.

Visit Glenn's Website - https://www.goswim.tv/