Below are some key supporting links and documents, I have tried to limit this to key areas for age group and youth swimmers. There is no real one theme here, however if there is a common thread it is that athlete behaviors away from the pool are important to performance. It is also clear that this is ultimately the athletes own responsibility, with coach and parental support and guidance.
There is, of course, more information and support on all these areas. Swimmers will have discussions with coaches in a practical setting regarding psychology, nutrition and parental support. If you want or need further info email me on [email protected] I am keen to suggest books or websites that provide the most appropriate information for individuals needs.
Regards
Greg Buck
CMK Head Coach
Philosophy
Swimming is an intensive sport which requires commitment and dedication from all those involved. From the swimmers themselves to the parents and coaches who help make it all happen. CMK is committed to providing the best environment to allow its athletes of all abilities to thrive and flourish. The CMK Philosophies can be found here and are the ground work to everything we try and achieve at the club.
Nutrition
One of the building blocks of quality training and competition is good nutrition. The body is like any other machine, to have it working at it's optimum performance you need to put in not just fuel, but good qualify fuel and at the right times. Day to day nutrition is just as important as Competition nutrition and there are subtle differences between the two. Swimmers and parents should be aware of the needs on the athlete and try where ever possible to cater for this.
Tapering
Tapering refers to the practice of reducing exercise in the days just before an important competition and is customary in many endurance sports. For many athletes, a period of tapering is essential to ensure optimal performance at the right times within the season. For example, the coach will have anything from a couple of days to a weeks taper towards a targeted meet such as the Country Championships where the training sessions are focused on skill based work. Considerations for preparing for a meet can be found in the Tapering Checklist
Parenting Champions
When coaches, swimmers and swimming parents work well together, incredible things are possible. The team is committed and focused on helping the swimmer to realise their full potential. For swimming parents there are a few simple dos and don'ts that can help ensure that you are guiding your child in the right way and fulfilling your all-important role. Here are some good tips for swimming parents from British Swimming.
Doping
It is widely know that sports in general are against doping in all forms, and publicity around doping is also high at the time of big events like the Olympics. However, it is important to understand the ruling as it applies to all levels in the sport and the ASA anti-doping has some good advice.
Preventing Illness
Illness is sometimes unavoidable. If there is a cold or sickness doing the rounds, it is impossible to lock yourself away so that you don't catch it. However, there are some steps a swimmer can take to try and stay fit and healthy as they head towards major competitions The ASA avoiding illness guidelines are very useful and worth a read by both swimmers and parents.
Psychology
Why do you swim? What gets you to the water? As mentioned on this page, swimming is a huge commitment from not just the athlete but everyone around them. To commit to your sport you have to enjoy it. Setting goals and having the right mindset is a step towards getting the most out of your sport. The Club Goal Setting Form is useful for many swimmers and a good starting point for any coach-swimmer (and parent) discussions.
