Quick Dip: What Are Coaches Looking for Apart from Speed?

A short read for the car journey

Category: Team & Club  | Read time: Under 2 minutes

Swimming fast matters, but it is not the only thing your coaches notice. A race time shows what happened in one swim. Coaches also see how you train, learn and develop each week.

Coaches look at whether you can hold your technique, swim different strokes and follow the pace or skill requested. They also notice whether you listen, try to use feedback and keep working when something takes time to learn.

For example, your coach might ask you to keep your head between your arms in streamline after pushing off. At first, you need a reminder. Over the next few sessions, you begin doing it consistently on your own. That shows you are turning feedback into a reliable skill.

Coaches may look for growing independence too. This could mean arriving prepared, knowing what equipment you need, reading the pace clock or asking a useful question when you are unsure.

How you work with other swimmers also matters. Sharing lane space, giving other swimmers room and supporting teammates all help a squad train well.

You do not have to be perfect at everything. Swimmers develop at different rates and your strengths may change as you grow. Coaches use what they see to decide which skills need more work and what level of challenge is right for you.

A fast time is worth celebrating, but good technique, effort, listening and learning help you keep developing beyond one result.

Ask your coach: What is one thing apart from speed that I could improve?

Created by Basingstoke Bluefins Coaching Team