Swim Parents - Partners in Potential and Performance

Every swimming coach in the world has to find a way to work effectively with the parents / carers of the kids they coach.

The concept of Partnership is important.

In essence, what are coaches, parents / carers and swimmers all chasing?

Answer: To help the swimmer be all they choose to be - to help them realize their potential in and out of the water.

The beautiful thing about that is that when it comes down to it - coaches, parents / carers and swimmers - ALL WANT THE SAME THING! - we all want to see the swimmer learn to love the water, enjoy the experience of swimming, improve and to be all they choose to be.

In any partnership, each of the partners, need to do their "job" - they need to understand what it is they need to do to help achieve their collective goal - in this case - the realization of the potential of the swimmer.

So what's the "job" of a coach? To teach skills, help swimmers prepare for Meets, to improve their speed and fitness, to help them perform when and where it matters, etc.

And swimmers - what's their "job"?

It is simply - to do the best they can - every time they train and race - to do their best.

Swimming Parents and carers - what's their "job"?

1. To teach values like respect, honesty, integrity, humility, courage, discipline and a work-ethic.
2. To help build independence, self-responsibility and self-accountability
3. To love, accept and value their children unconditionally for who they are.
4. To help their kids learn important life skills like time management.
5. To teach them the importance of taking ownership and responsibility for their day to day needs like cleaning their rooms, preparing for training, packing their swim bags, hanging out wet swim suits and towels etc.

6. 
   

If you think about the coach, parent / carer and swimmer relationship as a partnership - as a team - where every member of the team is committed to and focused on helping the swimmer to be the best they can be - there's no limits to what you can achieve together.

Is it always easy?

NO!!! - of course not. Stories about the difficulties of dealing with over zealous and overly "invested" swimming parents / carers are common place in coaching all over the world.

But, it is vital that coaches look to find ways of building and sustaining strong, positive contructive relationships with swimming parents / carers and to strive to work closely together as the swimmer progresses.

Wayne and Glenn discuss what makes a great coach. From the public perception of greatness to the reality of everyday people being great.

We asked ChatGPT it's definition of what is a great coach, and the answers were pretty darn good.

A great coach is someone who possesses a unique blend of skills, qualities, and attributes that enable them to effectively guide, inspire, and develop individuals or teams to reach their full potential. Here are some characteristics that define a great coach:

1. Excellent Communication Skills: A great coach can convey ideas, instructions, and feedback clearly and effectively, fostering understanding and trust among their players or team members.
   
2. Empathy and Understanding: They have the ability to understand the needs, motivations, and challenges of each individual they coach, and they empathize with their experiences.
   
3. Leadership and Vision: A great coach has a clear vision for success and inspires others to share and work towards that vision. They lead by example, setting high standards of behavior and performance.
   
4. Expertise and Knowledge: They possess a deep understanding of the sport, field, or subject matter they're coaching in, as well as the strategies and techniques necessary for success.
   
5. Adaptability: A great coach can adapt their coaching style and strategies to suit the unique needs and circumstances of their players or team, maximizing effectiveness.
   
6. Motivational Skills: They know how to motivate and inspire their players or team members, instilling confidence, self-belief, and a strong work ethic.
   
7. Feedback and Development: They provide constructive feedback in a supportive manner, helping individuals identify areas for improvement and develop their skills and abilities.
   
8. Patience and Resilience: They remain patient and resilient in the face of setbacks and challenges, maintaining a positive attitude and encouraging perseverance.
   
9. Trust and Respect: A great coach builds trust and respect with their players or team members through honesty, integrity, and fairness.
   
10. Commitment and Dedication: They are deeply committed to the development and success of their players or team members, investing time, effort, and energy to help them achieve their goals.
    

Overall, a great coach is not just someone who helps individuals or teams win games or achieve success; they also play a crucial role in shaping character, instilling values, and fostering personal growth and development.

We hope you enjoy this episode, and we're glad to be back.

The Third 50 - E11 - Brent Rutemiller - Swimming in Legacy

It's difficult to describe Brent Rutemiller.

He's a swimmer. There's a good start.

He's been a coach. OK - you sort of get the picture but....

He also has been - (and in some cases still is):

• A marketing manager
• A CEO
• A publisher
• An editor
• An author
• A manager
• A cartoon artist
• An influencer and thought leader in the sport
• A TV host
• A script writer
• A sales manager
• A presenter
• A global force for change in the sport of swimming
• A dad of three remarkable kids
• A loving and devoted husband to a truly amazing woman - Ellen
• A leader
• A wonderful friend and colleague and...
• Someone who's been fighting and beating the heck out of cancer for almost three years.

We asked Brent a few months ago about his mental attitude to fighting the greatest fight of his life - his battle with cancer - and he said the most inspiring words we've ever heard from a human being, "Every morning I tell myself today things will be better".

In this THE THIRD 50 Episode, the first of series 2 - we talk to Brent about his life in swimming.

We discuss how he fell in love with the sport and how he's seen and experienced the sport change and evolve - not always for the better - over his life in swimming.

We ask him about his time leading Swimming World and we invite him to share his views on the sport and how it's likely to develop in the years to come.

And we talk with Brent about his family, his philosophies and views on life and on how he's remained positive, powerful and strong as he refuses to allow the disease to define his attitudes or his existence.

This is an Episode not to be missed! You will be inspired. You will be informed. You will laugh a little at some terrible jokes but mostly you'll gain some personal insights into the life of one of the sport's most influential and intelligent figures.

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/

Ten Things I Wish I Knew When I Started.

Imagine if you could commence your swimming coaching journey - with 10, 20, 30 years of experience somehow magically imprinted on your mind right from the first session!

Every coach looks back at their coaching career at some time and asks "If only I knew that when....." or "I wish I'd known that when I ....."

In this Episode - the final episode of our current series, Glenn and Wayne share the Top Ten Things they've learnt from their combined 80 years in swimming and provide you with the insights and knowledge they've gained from what at times seems to be several lifetimes in the sport.

1. Learn How To Build Relationships With Humans! Stop Watches, Heart Rate Monitors, And Pace Clocks Are Only Tools - People Are Everything.

2. Technique Beats Everything Every Time.

3. Training = Competition = Training - What You Accept In Practice Is What You Will See On Race Day.

4. Talent Is Overrated - Character Counts.

5. Learn Something New Every Session - Every Day.

6. What You Say Is Important - But What You Do Is Everything.

7. Ask Questions Of Experienced Coaches - We Stand On The Shoulders Of Giants.

8. Technique Is Not A One Size Fits All.

9. A Practice From The “Stoics” - The Problem Is The Way Forward - Learn To Embrace Problems, Difficulties, Challenges - They Are Usually Presenting You With The Greatest Learning Opportunities You Can Imagine.

10. Don’t Take It Too Seriously - Even At The Highest Levels, It’s About Fun. If They’re Not Enjoying - You’re Doing It Wrong!

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/

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/

EPISODE 8 - Living a Coach's Life - Coach - Coach Thyself! Coaching is a wonderful profession - coaches change lives.

Coaches inspire the hearts, minds and spirits of the people they coach.

Coaches create opportunities for people to realize their potential.

Coaches provide the environment for people to see their dreams become a reality.

But it is also a challenging and demanding profession….

• Early mornings
• First to arrive/last to leave
• Weekend meets
• Not highly paid for the most part,
• Demanding parents
• Dealing with Swim Club Boards / Committees
• Etc

Increasingly, we know that coaches can struggle with stress, fatigue, burnout, health issues, and other difficulties. Coaches often spend so much time helping others that they neglect their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

In Episode 8 of The Third 50, Glenn and Wayne talk about coaches and coaching. We look at ways coaches can stay healthy - and adopt a holistic approach to their own physical and mental well-being.

TEN Takeaways!!! TEN WAYS COACHES CAN TAKE BETTER CARE OF THEMSELVES:

1. WALK OFF - TURN OFF - turn off your phone, have days off - take time for yourself
2. Water bottle and snacks - During workouts, have a water bottle for yourself and a snack to keep up your energy levels.
3. Have a NO COACH TIME - for example, catch up on phone calls on the way home but once you get to your front door - it’s YOU TIME.
4. Take a break every season!
5. Get to workouts early and spend 5 minutes relaxing - breathing
6. TEAM COACH - sometimes step back a little and allow the other coaches in the team to take charge and lead the program
7. SLEEP!!! Try to get to bed a little earlier. When you go to bed - don’t sit there with your TABLET writing workouts or reviewing videos - go to sleep.
8. Have a NON-SWIMMING PASSION - something you can do that takes your mind and body completely away from thinking about workouts, sets and drills
9. Where possible - when the team stretches - stretch! Flexibility and mobility help you to stay loose and relaxed and it's a great time to get to know the team a little better.
10. Stressed? Remove the cause

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 more than 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/

EPISODE 7 - Mind Body Connections: The Holistic Approach to Peak Swimming Performance Traditional models of mental skills training are mostly inefficient - i.e. developing mental skills in lectures and classrooms in the days prior to a big Meet.

The integration of mental skills into all training, all practices and every workout is the key - MIND AND BODY - holistic training and coaching is critical!

Every set / every session / every workout - has mental and emotional elements - the body can’t swim without the head!

Every coach will know that mental skills are incredibly important at all levels of swimming.

Just as you wouldn’t leave the development of stroke technique to the day before a Meet, you wouldn’t leave the development of mental skills to the day before a Meet then hope the swimmer can deal with the challenges of the emotional environment of the competitive battlefield!

In Episode 7 of The Third 50, Wayne and Glenn put their heads together and look at the importance mental skills development in swimming and triathlon.

We discuss some of the critically important elements of mental skills development including:

• CONFIDENCE
• OVER-THINKING
• NEGATIVE SELF TALK’
• SELF-DOUBT
• RESILIENCE / MENTAL TOUGHNESS
• COMMITMENT
• UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS - of the swimmer and others

Perhaps most importantly we present ways that coaches can integrate the development of mental skills directly through their workout design and practice sessions.

Three Takeaways:

1. Mental skills need to be practiced daily - in all practices, training sessions and activities.
2. Coaches should look to add a mental skills element to all sets and sessions. Workouts are mostly written from a physiological perspective, i.e. VOLUME, INTENSITY AND FREQUENCY. Try adding another column - a mental skills aspect to everything you do.
3. The name of the game ISN'T just to swim fast or to swim with great skills....It's coaching swimmers to swim fast with great skills when and where it matters - regardless of the situation or challenges - and that means coaching their heads as much as preparing their bodies!

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 more than 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/

Welcome to The Third 50!

EPISODE 6 - Equipment - Training Tools - Gear, Gimmicks and Gizmos!

Swimming equipment can be a valuable addition to swimming and triathlon coaching programs for athletes of all ages and at all stages of swimming technique development.

Think of them as the "tools of technique"!

However, as is the case with all "tools" - it's important for coaches, swimmers, triathletes and anyone who uses fins, paddles, snorkels, pull-buoys and kickboards in their programs to know WHEN / WHY /and HOW to use swimming equipment efficiently and effectively.

In Episode 6 of The Third 50, Wayne and Glenn - and SPECIAL GUEST John Mix | Founder FINIS, Inc. look at the use of swimming equipment and consider:

• What is the best age to start using different types of swimming equipment?
• Who should / should not be using swimming equipment?
• How do you know which is the right swimming equipment to use?
• How do you select the right swimming equipment for you?
• How do coaches integrate swimming equipment use into their practices?
• Is there a time NOT to be using swimming equipment?

Three Takeaways:

1. Equipment is not a magical, quick fix to swimming technique improvement. Swimming equipment is a set of "tools" that can potentially contribute to the development of swimming technique and other important swimming skills and capabilities.
2. Before using any swimming equipment, coaches, swimmers and triathletes need to clarify their reasons for WHY they are using the equipment. Start off with clarifying your own "technical-model" - and then introduce equipment which can help athletes progress towards optimal performance.
3. It's no good coming up with a great solution to the wrong problem. Take time to understand how and why swimming equipment can be used before including it's use in your program.

SPECIAL THANKS TO John Mix | Founder FINIS, Inc. https://www.finisswim.com/

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 more than 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/