“Memory Competition” is what makes it difficult to change old stroke habits. To win that competition you must practice in ways your brain doesn’t associate with what’s gone before.
Archive for the ‘Smart Training’ Category
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on March 22nd, 2011
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on January 27th, 2011
I’m swimming in meets and for time in practice again and discover I’m much slower than when I last did this 5 years ago. What a great opportunity for learning!
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on January 23rd, 2011
Swimming in a Masters meet provided a “brutally honest” measure of my current speed. And because Speed is a product of the math of Stroke Length and Stroke Rate, I now know precisely the formula for reaching my still-distant goals.
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on January 21st, 2011
If you put a new skill to the test or venture outside your ‘Comfort or Confidence Zone,’ you’re likely to remember it better and improve it faster.
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on January 20th, 2011
When I set goals for pool times, and pool races, I get all the Arduous Experience and Cognitive Difficulty my psyche craves.
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on December 29th, 2010
Just Say No to Kickboard. Discover whether the apocalypse – or better swimming – results.
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on December 26th, 2010
Hand Paddles are a clear and present danger to shoulders and encourage misguided focus on power. If you use them at all, swim — don’t pull — at moderate pressure with a meticulous stroke.
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on December 24th, 2010
Pull buoys are both seductive and insidious because they allow you to mask a lack of balance while convincing yourself you’re ‘building upper body strength.’
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on December 23rd, 2010
Most swimmers use tools like ingredients in a cake recipe. Mix buoy, paddles, kickboard and fins and bake for one hour. Better to use them selectively, thoughtfully and to target specific stroke weaknesses.
by Terry Laughlin
Posted on December 22nd, 2010
Stroke Length (SL) is far more critical to speed than Stroke Rate (SR). SL is devilishly difficult to create. SR is ridiculously easy.