Quick Dip: Why Do We Repeat the Same Skills?

A short read for the car journey

Category: Training  | Read time: Under 2 minutes

Coaches repeat skills because doing something correctly once does not mean that you can repeat it whenever you need it.

At first, a turn, streamline or part of a stroke may need lots of thought. Careful practice helps the movement feel more natural. The aim is for the skill to work during easy swimming, fast swimming, when you are tired or when you are racing.

A task may look the same, but your coach might change the speed, distance, rest or the part of the movement you are working on. This gives you chances to use the skill in different situations.

Repeating a drill without thinking is not enough. You need to understand what the drill is helping you change, then try to make the same change when you return to your full stroke.

Good practice matters more than simply completing lots of lengths. If the movement becomes harder to control, listen to your coach’s feedback and use the next repetition to focus on one thing.

When the same skill appears again, your coach is giving you another chance to make it work more often and in more situations.

Ask your coach: Which part of this skill should I focus on today?

Created by Basingstoke Bluefins Coaching Team