Quite simply, going to practice is nearly all you need to do to remain competitive. Then, a true dedication to never missing practice will provide all of the skills needed to start, turn and finish at a higher level than most all of your competitors. Then, participating in practice, I mean really taking in all of the coaching and training; will provide an even greater level of success. Our coache provide all of the "skill teaching" necessary for our athletes to excel at swim meets.

Occasionally we will go to meets and perceive that our swimmers are not up to speed with their competition on certain skills such as starts, turns, things like that. Well, sometimes that is just the case, and their are clear reasons. Questions like: "Why does little Billy get beat on the turns by little Bobby?" or "How come little Suzie doesn't start as fast as little Susan?"

The first thing I look to when asked those questions is: "how is their practice attendance?"
Many times the answer to that question is the answer to most all of the questions. The National group, for example, has 9 workouts offered per week. That number is not set in the hopes that they make it to most of them. 9 are offered, 9 are to be attended if your expectations include competitive excellence. The Senior group offers 8. Advanced Age Group offers 6. If your expectations as a swimmer or parent is to succeed at the highest level, then you must attend all of the training sessions. As soon as you compromise on that max number of practices, you must also adjust your expectations in meets.

As a rule, I do not have an attendance requirement, but, success does.

For an Olympians perspective on this: CLICK HERE