Lakeside Seahawks in Louisville KY showed us a great, and fun way to have the swimmers discover a great connection with the water. Why do it:
Learning technique doesn't always have to be so thoughtful. Reaction and competition can ultimately lead to the best way to learn how to grab the water. How to do it:
1 - Start with one swimmer in front, and the 2nd swimmer holding on to the ankle of the first swimmer.
2 - At the half-way point in the length, the 2nd swimmer will pull back to try to shoot ahead of the 1st swimmer.
3 - The first swimmer must hold on to their spot in the water to try to initiate FORWARD movement while the 2nd swimmer is pulling them back.
4 - The two swimmers RACE to the end. How to do it really well (the fine points):
We've always tried to think about the catch, actually being the ability to leverage your entire arm to a spot in the water, and not let it move back. This is a great way to teach that for the leading swimmer. While they're being pulled back, the desire to GET GOING FORWARD will help them discover the best way to anchor their arm. The team building, competitive, and fun aspect can't be ignored in this drill. Sometimes making training FUN, while sneaking in the feelings coaches try to teach, is an incredible effective way to make swimmers faster. Engaging their psychological with the physiological... without explaining it that way. ;)
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