Olympic Lessons

Our good friend, Rob Bond of Illinois Tech, started a thread on a message board about what have we learned from the Olympics. Let's face it, swimming is only on TV every 4 years and it seems that we get more kids trying the sport during Olympic years. And since this is the only time almost anybody sees the sport, they "pick up" some of the nuances of the sport. I remember back in 1992, we watched Melvin Stewart win the 200m fly breathing to the side and Mike Barrowman win the 200m breast with this funky stroke. Pretty soon, every 12 year old was swim breastroke, trying to recover over the water. At those same Olympics, we saw the U.S. dominance in the sprints broken by a Russian with a "slow" turnover. Back here, most thought of this stroke as a catch-up, or at least a 3/4 catch-up stroke. Next thing you know, coaches were telling their swimmers to always keep 1 hand in front on the freestyle and pretty soon, coaches were "creating" their own drill, the Popov. Well, we have 1st hand knowledge that isn't how that stroke was done.

So what did we learn? How did people go that fast? Here are my thoughts after watching:

Suits - They probably do have some effect. I think more in free/back than in breast/fly. But for $500+ and they only last a few wears, I'm not sold. I'm sure we will see kids who think they can slack off and get a suit and they'll still be fast. Maybe, but if you're counting on equipment to carry the load, in my mind your taking a risk. Besides the Speedo suit the U.S. wore was ugly.

Pool - Same as the suits. It was a fast pool, though. By the way, did anyone notice the lifeguards during the competition? They had the best seats in the house! I would have loved to seen one of those little girls try to save that big horse from France!

Turns/Finishes - WOW! How many races were won or lost on walls? Out of all close races, the only good finish by a Silver medalist was Dara Torres'. Katie Hoff has a good finish in the 400m free, she probably has a better meet. I don't think she recovered from that. Ask Mr. Phelps. If 2 people have better finishes, he's a 6 time Gold Medalist (still pretty good!). If I'm coaching Hoff, Bernard, or Cavic, I make them have a good finish on every set of every practice. I don't care if it's warming up or cooling down. If I'm coaching anybody who has to swim Mr. Phelps, I'm making them do great turns on every set. YOU HAVE TO WORK THESE CONSTANTLY!

Training - I'm sure people will hear how some of these athletes only swim about 1.5-2 hours/day. Well, how old are these athletes? Most of them are in their mid 20's and have been swimming for 15+ years.

I'm sure there is more, but it's late and I'm tired. And yeah, after all that, he is Mr. Phelps.

WHAT A WEEK!

I know I haven't posted in a while, but now we're back! What a great week, between the Olympics and the start of the girls' season, it's also been busy. The girls started the season last Wednesday and it was a good start. We got a lot or returners from last season and some quality newcomers. Should be another good season!