Ed Moses: Training for the promised land Lohn, John LEARN FROM THE OLYMPIANS NT + WE + A = 3G. That’s Ed Moses’ formula for success. Translated, it means “natural talent” (NT) and an unparalleled “work ethic” (WE) plus constant “analysis” (A) and refinement will equal “three gold” (3G) medals in Athens in 2004. Some […]
Improve your core strength Weil, Wendy Weinberg The best way to develop and maintain your flexibility and core strength is with a series of exercises using an oversized ball, known by various names such as stability, yoga, gymnic, exercise, physio and balance balls. In recent years, it has been determined that one of the most […]
Proper race strategy in the 400 IM Pratt, Jasen The 400 IM is an event in which too many athletes swim incorrectly. However, with a little proper guidance and with an emphasis on swimming a balanced race, many could excel in this event. Outside of Bill Sweetenham, Dr. Akos Toth and Dr. Jeno Tihanyi, not […]
Feeling it Johnson, Ron If you can’t feel the subtle changes in water pressure on your body, hands and feet as you slice through the water, you will never become a truly accomplished swimmer. In fact, the greater your ability to “feel the water,” the greater your chances of becoming a very skillful and fast […]
Preparing for Athens Rusticus, Oene Three years ago, Pieter van den Hoogenband of Holland was one of the top performers at the Olympic Games in Sydney, collecting four medals-two gold and two bronze. With just one year before the next Olympiad, Swimming Technique spoke with Pieter’s coach, Jacco Verhaeren-as well as Pieter, himself-to discuss the […]
Training Michael Phelps: American flyer Bowman, Bob One component of Michael Phelps’ phenomenal success is his “made-for-swimming” physique. But the main component is the carefully-crafted training program that his coach, Bob Bowman, has created for him. Here, Coach Bowman-the 2001 ASCA Coach of the Year-describes his training protocols and provides sample workouts. I think it […]
Learn to Swim the Swimplicity Way Aquatic experiences begin in the mother’s womb where an infant is surrounded by amniotic fluid. It is in this aquatic environment that the infant first encounters buoyant lift, gravitational pull and torque rotation. These naturally-occurring aquatic forces shape the initial development of every human organism. When infants are born […]
Rethinking sprint breaststroke McCauley, Wayne Should sprint breaststrokers breathe every stroke or use alternate breathing? The suggestion is made that there is a benefit to alternate breathing, while Olympians Mike Barrowman and Kristy Kowal offer their reactions. Barrowman suggests even less frequent breathing. The Proposal Why do swimmers breathe every stroke in the 50 and […]
torch is ours, The Block, George Beneath the SURFACE Sometimes I’m not so sure e-mail is a blessing. No sooner did my address get listed in some fine print somewhere (as a member of the USA Swimming Governance Task Force) than I start getting flooded with opinions and questions! The opinions were pretty easy. I […]
Benefits of Balanced Training Jeffrey, Josh As the paradigms in swim training shift from the high-yardage philosophies to shorter, more specialized workouts, race-pace training is playing an increasingly important role. Though utilized occasionally as a diversion for aerobic-based distance programs or used as a sharpening tool during taper, most teams do not take advantage of […]