Backstroke for Every Body
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Outside the Box:
Triathlon Swimming: Made EasyWhat do you suppose it takes to set a world record in swimming. More to the point, what do you suppose it feels like to swim faster than any human in history? A recent article in the New York Times Miles From Her Top Competitors, a Young Star Still Outswims Them reported that US distance […]
FAST FORWARD Training: What is It?
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on May 22nd, 2014
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on May 22nd, 2014
Total Immersion methods for technique and teaching have been recognized as revolutionary for over two decades. Over the next few months, we will introduce a training methodology we believe is equally revolutionary. We call it Fast Forward Training. Because it’s forward thinking. And because it improves endurance, speed—and, yes technique too—faster than any other approach […]
Video: How We Build The “World’s Most Efficient Freestyle”
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on April 27th, 2014
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on April 27th, 2014
This beautiful short film is by TI Coach Johnny Widen (of Lulea Sweden, near the Arctic Circle.) Johnny shot it in Oct 2012 at Total Immersion Level 1 Coach Training in Windsor England. Johnny’s first purpose was to create a pre-training study video for future TI coach trainees. He used excerpts to also create an artistic view of […]
Change Your Swimming in Three Minutes, Part Two: Visualize!
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on April 18th, 2014
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on April 18th, 2014
In my previous installment in this three part series Change Your Swimming in Three Minutes I suggested setting aside three minutes at the beginning of practice-in most cases before you enter the pool–to calm and focus your mind. To recap, the first-stage exercise included: Nose breathing. Mouth breathing stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, which activates when we’re […]
Michael Phelps Redux
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on April 15th, 2014
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on April 15th, 2014
Yesterday’s news included an item that quickened the pulses of quite a few swim fans–and probably USA Swimming honcho’s too. Michael Phelps is returning to competitive swimming. Mind you, there was no mention of Rio 2016, only that he ‘ll race at an Arena Grand Prix meet in Mesa Arizona next week. In the article Phelps […]
Focus: Always a Work in Progress
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on April 8th, 2014
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on April 8th, 2014
In my most recent post Change Your Swimming in Three Minutes, I suggested doing a 3-minute exercise in nose-breathing and mind-clearing prior to entering the pool for practice. I wrote that post after several days of doing that exercise as I prepared to start a session of writing. It did help center me for somewhat […]
Change Your Swimming in Three Minutes
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on April 3rd, 2014
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on April 3rd, 2014
Do you have three minutes to spare? Not just any time. Specifically the three minutes just before you enter the pool, or any body of water. If you do, try this: Sit or stand wherever you’re comfortable. Then breathe through your nose, counting down 20 breaths. Each time you exhale, think: 20 . . . […]
Listen Up: Podcast on Efficiency in Triathlon
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on March 31st, 2014
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on March 31st, 2014
While attending the 2014 Tri-Mania show in Bethesda MD on March 22, I joined Andy Weaver of the website From Doughboy to Ironman and the Ironman Year One podcast series for a ‘guerilla podcast’ as he calls it. Andy had just attended a panel discussion I did with Danny Dreyer of ChiRunning and Shane […]
Fifty Years of Swimming Lessons
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on March 25th, 2014
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on March 25th, 2014
To celebrate my 63rd birthday (today) and 50 years in swimming (I first joined a team at age 13 in 1964) I’ve decided to devote a series of posts to reflecting on what I’ve learned about swimming along the way. Like many people, I started out ignorant of what lay ahead—and indeed ignorant about most […]
Which Kick is Best for YOU? 2-Beat or 6-Beat
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on March 16th, 2014
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on March 16th, 2014
This is a guest post by TI Coach Gary Fahey. A blog post discussing kick strategies landed in my inbox a couple of weeks ago, much of it advocating a six-beat kick (6BK) for all but the most skilled of swimmers. While I disagree with this premise and the example presented […]