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These articles are not intended to be a substitute for medical care. If you are concerned about a particular medical condition or injury, please see your health care provider for evaluation and care.
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February 3, 2010
Drills and Skills for the Self-Coached Swimmer: Improving Lung Capacity for more Effective Turns
By Susan Ingraham, Masters of South Texas
Turns can make or break a great race. Walls are not there for rest, but instead should be used to maintain velocity throughout your event. All swimmers should strive to improve their turns at each practice; turns provide an opportunity for even the most elite athletes to drop time and improve efficiency.
There are numerous aspects that all contribute to a great turn, however these drills will focus specifically on developing lung capacity. The following drills are not to be used as a one day workout, but rather be incorporated throughout the month on a regular basis.
February 3, 2010
In Too Deep? Find the Balance
By Jim Miller, MD
The Masters athlete is different from younger athletes. We work, we have families, we have homes; we have to contend with the real world.
It is not a surprise that, as Masters swimmers, our training goals are frequently not met; or if they are, it is at the expense of something else, such as sleep or quality nutrition. There is also little wonder why our performances are sometimes not what our training would indicate they should be. It becomes difficult to keep to a training schedule without interruptions, even while we are training for our end-of-the-season competitions. When busy, we can go days – or even weeks – without consistent training.
February 3, 2010
How to Maximize Swimsuit Durability
By the Professionals at Kiefer
Even if you are one of the lucky ones to be free from pressures from the tough economy, making the most of your swimsuit purchases should be a priority! Whether you favor polyester or Lycra, eventually your swimsuit will discolor, fade, stretch, tear, or if you’re lucky enough to have it for a really long time, dry rot. With a little extra care, it is possible to get weeks or even months of extra use out of your non-technical swimsuit. Follow these simple guidelines for long-lasting swimsuits.
February 1, 2010
657 Alcatraz Crossings … and Counting!
By Ali Hall
What does it take to swim from Alcatraz? Not just once, but 657 times? Specifically, what makes open water swimmer extraordinaire and longtime member of San Francisco’s South End Rowing Club Gary Emich keep at it? In our Q&A with Gary, here’s what he has to say:
January 14, 2010
Ensuring Your Swimmers' Races Count
By Kathy Casey
“I took my swimmers to a sanctioned meet, and after returning from the meet, we were informed that the times from the meet would not count as official times. This was a total surprise. Is there a way that I can be sure that my swimmers’ times at future meets will count as official times for USMS purposes?”
Yes, you can be a watchful eye in ensuring that your swimmers’ times at USMS-sanctioned meets will count as official times.
Prior to the meet ask...
January 6, 2010
Perfecting Your Breaststroke Glide: The Hanging Streamline Drill
By Chris Colburn, Academy Bullets Masters
Though the streamline position may seem easy to accomplish, even the best swimmers in the world continue to practice and train themselves to master the technique. There are many simple exercises that can assist you in mastering the streamline position. One simple drill actually takes place on dry land; the Hanging Streamline is straightforward and can be practiced alone or with a partner.
January 1, 2010
Your Friends (and Their Friends) Can Make You Fat! -- or Fit!
By Ali Hall
In my work as a behavioral change consultant I have the chance to talk with helping professionals all over the world. One thing is no secret to them or to me, the power of social networks on individual behavior. For anyone— a kid getting into trouble to an adult indulging in unhealthful behaviors— it’s pretty true. Change is hard, but if you change your friends, you can change your life.
December 30, 2009
2009 SPMA Regionals A Huge Success
By Raul Reis
"We're victims of our own success," summarized a jubilant (and tired) meet director Kenny Brisbin, as the SPMA SCM 2009 Regional Championship—also known as the Belmont Meet—neared its conclusion on Sunday, Dec. 6, after three very successful days of competition in Long Beach, Calif.
Organized and sponsored by the Long Beach Grunions, the 2009 SPMA Regionals were the largest ever for this event, attracting a record 650 swimmers from all different levels and age groups. The three-day regional championship is one of three annual championship meets offered by SPMA throughout the year. The Grunions’ meet is by far the largest and arguably the most significant event held in the region each year.
December 18, 2009
Teaching Masters to Master the Butterfly: West Side Fly Progression
By Nate McBride
Several years ago I was desperate to find a way to teach butterfly to adult swimmers … from scratch. I had a lot of adults who, over the years, had lost ankle flexibility, core strength and rhythm. There wasn’t much I could do about the first two except for dryland work whenever I could fit it in and ankle flexibility exercises. And rhythm … you either have it or you don’t. If you don’t, it’s a constant struggle to do fly well but you can get there. These swimmers had been hounding me to teach them, and I was getting more and more frustrated by the fact that I could not give them fly sets in workout.
I kept coming back to the possibility that I could teach them the same way I had taught my age groupers, but then always rejected the idea because of the silliness/simplicity of those drills. Eventually though, desperation gave way to having no other choice. The results astounded me.
December 17, 2009
National Qualifying Times Explained
By Jeff Roddin
We have received several email questions about how national qualifying times (NQTs) are determined for national championship meets. Jeff Roddin, Potomac Valley Registrar and member of the Championship Committee, explains the process:
National qualifying times for Spring Nationals (short course yards) are based on a formula using the average 10th place times from the previous three years of USMS Top 10 times.
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