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I have put it to our coaches this month to define what Dynamo and Excellence have in common. It has been part of the focus of our weekly coaches meetings. It is a subject that always interests and surprises me.
I took the opportunity during the recent Short Course Nationals to talk to a number of coaches who ‘get it done’ at a high level, and do so consistently. I asked them bluntly, “What is it that makes your program great?” Not one of the answers mentioned how much yardage they do, or how many laps they swim, or number of practices they have each week. The answers that made the most sense to me centered on how they coach the athletes. Not just the relationships, but in the defining of the groups that train together, and then defining what those groups may need to learn for long term-success and the development of all events.
Not one answer talked about how fast they can get the athletes to swim at 10, or even 12 years old. Of the many things changing in how swim clubs operate now versus 15 to 20 years ago, that is clearly the biggest difference. It is clear that long-term success in swimming is directly related to skills learned and the development of an ‘event list’ that will allow an athlete to stay in the sport and real success. We started a process last year, and have stepped up our efforts this year, to expand event lists for all our swimmers, at all levels. Coach Rich has been instrumental in giving the staff clarity in this area. It is happening before our eyes here at Dynamo, as our most successful swimmers are doing so with a number of events. This past Senior State Meet was a prime example of the most successful swimmers finding multiple events to final and be successful with.
A big part of “Dynamo Excellence” will be in our athletes having “big event lists”. Parents, be prepared to see this happen to your athletes.
Happy Holidays to All!
Jason
`Twas a night in December, before the big meet,
The swimmers were resting, and not on their feet.
Swim parents were packing the last of the gear and hoping that suits, caps and goggles would all reappear.
Swimmers were nestled all snug in their beds,
Visualizing races with nothing to dread.
Coaches were planning the last minute speech
That would build athlete confidence as well as to teach.
Volunteers rose early the day of the meet
For parking and timing and heat sheets to greet.
Officials donned white shirts with logos well earned
They`re the referees, judges, admin, Stroke and Turn.
The whistle blows, the horn sounds, the swimmers dive in,
The cheers of the crowd let them know they can win.
There are new races to swim and stroke changes to try,
In December every swimmer has the chance to fly.
From the Olympic team hopefuls for 2008,
To the new Green team member, December is great.
Happy Holidays to all Dynamo families!
Kathy Stephens
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Swimming Is An Investment
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With time at a premium in the two-career family, many parents are now asking "Is it the sacrifice and expense of joining an age group program worth it?" Here are some thoughts on why it is from Coach Cindy Anderson, head age group coach of the Reno Aquatic Club in Reno, Nevada.
"Age group swimming is much more than just swimming back and forth, day in and day out - the occasional swim meet and winning ribbon. Of course the swimmer gains from the physical activity of swimming, by becoming more fit...and there is involvement in an after-school activity at a time when working parents can`t be with their kids. But age group swimming is an investment in the health, fitness, and overall growth and development of the youngster.
From the physical standpoint, swimming helps improve cardiovascular fitness, strength, flexibility, and neuromuscular coordination. In addition, swimming is a lifelong fitness activity that is relatively easy to pursue, low in injury risk, and helps reduce stress. It can be enjoyed recreationally long after it has ceased competitively.
Beyond the physical benefits, swimming in both practice and meets contributes greatly to the psychological and emotional development of the young athlete. As an activity, swimming requires the development of specific and complex motor patterns. Swimming well requires not only hard physical work, but also intelligent application of learned skills and the ability to THINK while performing. From concentration on performing stroke skills correctly to executing race strategies, the athlete learns early to concentrate and perform under pressure. In addition nutrition education is an ongoing and essential part of the athlete`s overall development and success.
Age group swimming also requires consistent dedication, discipline and long-term commitment to goals, learning the habit of persistent application of lifestyle adaptations for goal achievement. Young swimmers also learn to accept success and failure with equal grace. In life as in swimming, one often fails several times on the way to a success, and it is an essential and difficult life-lesson to learn. The ups and downs of competition and training expose the young athlete to the realities of success and failure and force them to deal with the living experience.
Age group swimming, both directly and indirectly, teaches the athlete to develop: goal-setting strategies, time management skills, relaxation and imagery techniques, positive attitudes, and generally enhances the athletes overall self-image. Competitive swimming is both social and fun, and by virtue of the athletic nature of the activity, reinforces positive social values and beliefs. Athletes are taught to value their hard work in training and steer clear of drug and alcohol abuses.
To be an athlete is a very special and wonderful thing. To be a competitive swimmer is special, wonderful, and difficult; but the benefits of the persistent dedication and application of efforts, along with the benefits of facing and dealing with the emotional and psychological experiences associated with the demands of training and competing for success, are well worth whatever personal and/or financial investments are required.
Age group swimming is much more than it first appears.
As the holiday season approaches, the Dynamo coaching staff has some recommendations on how Dynamo swimmers can stay fit while traveling to visit family and friends.
Train with Another USA Swimming Club
Swimming is one of the most popular sports in the world in terms of youth participation numbers. There are clubs of all sizes in most cities. Talk to your coach and let her/ him help you find a club to train with during your travels. Often your coach can quickly check the USA Swimming website and find one or more clubs centrally located to where you are traveling. Your coach can make a quick call to the coach at the club and find out if the club accepts visitors to train (almost all clubs do accept out of town swimmers as a courtesy) and what the holiday practice schedule will be. Please give your coach a few weeks to track down this information for you.
Swim On Your Own
While swimmers may not enjoy this option as much as training with another club, sometimes coaches cannot find a club convenient to where your holiday travels take you. However, most communities have pools which hare open to the public. In this case, please ask your coach for some workouts you can do on your own while you are away. Remember, coaches are busy preparing for the holidays as well. So, give your coach plenty of notice if you will need specific written workouts.
Stay Active
There are some trips which lead swimmers away fro met convenience of any type of training pool. In this case, swimmers should plan to do dryland training on his or her own. Talk to your coach about what she or he specifically recommends based on where you are traveling. Often times, coaches will recommend running, biking and body weight exercises to stay fit during your travels.
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Interview with Coach Ben Rae
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In looking back at your time with Dynamo what positives changes have you noticed?
The greatest difference I have noticed is better communication with swimmers and parents with regards to coach/swimmer/parent expectations. Also, I believe that the staff has done a much better job of reaching out into the community to see how we can improve the swimming community beyond the walls of our own facilities. It also seems that there is a greater feeling that we are a part of something great; at least that is how I feel every day I come to work.
During your tenure with the club your challenges have changed as a coach. What would you like to see your groups and the team accomplish in the coming seasons?
I always feel that the biggest challenge for any coach is to get their swimmers to believe in what they are doing. It is very powerful if you can tell yourself at the end of the day that you are doing everything you need to be doing to be great. With this in mind, individual successes are good, but team successes are great. I expect state and sectional championships will come as individuals commit themselves to help every swimmer in their group improve. We should be fostering an atmosphere of camaraderie where we can be genuinely excited about the success of others in and out of the pool.
Your effort has contributed greatly to the rising numbers at Chamblee. Do you see this trend continuing at Chamblee, and if so, do you have goals for this portion of your responsibilities?
I do see the trend continuing at Chamblee, even now with the additions in the middle of the season. My number one goal for new swimmers and parents is to come and see what they are missing. You don’t have to be great to be on the team, you just need to have a love for the sport and want to improve. If you are willing to do the things you are asked and buy into our system, you will be successful. I believe the best way to advertise our product is through are members. If we are doing our jobs as coaches, our parents and swimmers will bring more swimmers to us. More people will come from word of mouth than any advertising we could ever do.
Your groups, as well as your coaching, will play a big part in Dynamo’s return to national prominence. What needs to happen at the age group level for this to occur in the team’s future?
I think the hardest thing for me is to remember the long-term. I want my swimmers to be great now, and it is sometimes easy to get lost in the immediate successes and forget about what you are really trying to do. I think at a young age, swimmers need to feel an atmosphere of inclusion. They also need to believe that being great is possible and if they believe in the Dynamo system and do what they are asked, they will be successful. When we realize that we can only be as successful as those around us, we will become great.
I know you are passionate about BYU Football. What are some of your other interests?
My family is my number 1 priority. I love spending time with my kids and wife and try to take time every day with them. I also enjoy building things. I spend quite a bit of time in my yard and garden. It is something very relaxing to me. I grew up working in construction and landscaping so it is now just a part of who I am.
Dynamo Swim Club is a 501c(3) not for profit volunteer parent run organization
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