Posts Tagged ‘swim right’

Can Swimmers learn anything from Olympic Speedskaters?
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on February 12th, 2010

Speedskaters use virtually uniform technique to master the challenge of “delivering force to the ice.” Swimmers, who face massively greater challenges in “delivering force to the water” are far less uniform and far more idiosyncratic in their technique. Why has the community of swimmers not achieved more agreement on the most efficient way to swim?

Use Feedback to Train Effectively
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on February 11th, 2010

Today’s practice sample shows the value of getting the right kind of feedback from practice sets. Data that lets you know if you’re improving — and how and why.

Slower Strokes produce Faster Times. How so?
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on February 8th, 2010

A slower stroke can produce faster times . . . IF you use the extra time in each stroke to propel more effectively – i.e. travel farther, and perhaps even faster.

An “Effortful” Practice Example: To swim the Channel FASTER.
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on February 6th, 2010

Most of my practices are designed to imprint efficiency – to help me cross the English Channel more easily. This one was designed to improve pace-holding capacity – to help me cross the Channel faster . . . without sacrificing efficiency.

An “Effortless Endurance” Practice
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on February 3rd, 2010

This practice demonstrates how a well-tuned brain performs its function better as you add repetitions and distance – a situation in which the body tends to fatigue.

Stroke Counting Grows Brain Cells . . . which may be critical to swimming the Channel
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on February 3rd, 2010

It’s obvious that efficiency is critical to success in open water marathon swimming. So is being able to exert control over what and how you think for hours and hours. Stroke counting in the pool while training for an open water marathon may be the best way to improve both.

Why – and How – Should you Swim Easy?
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on December 19th, 2009

Why you should make Ease a central goal of your swimming – and 12 specific ways to swim better through ease.

Sample #1 of “Practices that Grow Brain Cells”
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on December 18th, 2009

Most distance and marathon swimmers believe the most important thing is to “get the yards in.” I believe there’s much unexplored potential in shorter, well-crafted practices that actually create more direct benefit than long grind-it-out sessions.

How Far Should You Swim?
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on December 17th, 2009

Most swim workouts on the web or in magazines prescribe fixed and formulaic repeat sets. They probably won’t work for you! Here’s how to design a personalized improvement program.

Free Air: How to Breathe Easier
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on December 16th, 2009

If you feel breathless, or lose form when breathing, it’s hard to swim any distance without tiring. Here is a stepwise series of 5 “stroke thoughts” that will have you breathing easier in crawl.