The Way Of TI

Here is an explanation that might clear some misunderstanding about TI Coaching in comparison to other swim instruction methods: For sure, Total Immersion swimming, through our coaching, books and videos, swim camps and workshops teaches a distinct kind of stroke that is economical, injury-free, and effective for greater speed and distance. Among TI Coaches this [...]

Smart Speed Part 2

Smart Speed Part 2 – Effective Stroke Rate We looking at the next part of our Speed Equation in this essay: Speed = Stroke Length (SL) x Stroke Rate (SR) In the previous essay I introduced Stroke Length and discussed how we can each find our own optimal SL for various conditions and events. Now [...]

Smart Speed Part 1

Smart Speed Part 1 – Your Optimal Stroke Length In this series of essays I will walk through the process of achieving speed through superior precision, rather than through absolute power. For anyone wanting to improve her triathlon time, expand the distance he can swim with confidence, or improve sprint speed while preserving enjoyment and [...]

Perfect 25 Training

In order to test and expose the qualities I need in my Perfect 25 I do many repeats with a certain amount of rest- not based on seconds but based on heart rate (HR) recovery. I intend to push my neurological limits, not my anaerobic limits, so in each repeat I use a nasal-breath-monitoring method [...]

The Perfect 25

THE PIECES OF THE PERFECT 25 No matter how short or how far we intend to swim, it starts one 25 meter (or yard) pool length at a time. The excellence of the whole swim is never greater than the excellence of each part of the swim- so why permit inferior parts? Excellence does not [...]

Machine Versus Fish

Next time you’re at the pool or waterway, take a look at the swimmers around you. It is not hard to see the difference between those who swim like ‘machines’ and those that swim like ‘fish’- those that are mechanical in their movements, plowing through versus those that are fluid and quiet- slipping along smoothly. [...]

Kick For Sprinting

It is interesting to note that Sun Yang, when he set the 1500 meter world record in July, did so holding an average of 58 seconds per 100m for the entire race, using a 2-beat kick for all of it except the last 50 meters or so. 15 consecutive 58 second 100 sprints! We may [...]

Sprint Training Strategy

Here is some of my understanding and the considerations I design sprint training around: There are two ways to work on the solution for speed in water- increase power to overcome water resistance, and/or decrease water resistance. It is my conviction that as a smart swimmer I should will do everything possible to develop skills [...]

One Amazing Stroke

When pursuing a new PR on my [insert your favorite distance here] why would I crank out more and more mindless yards, going harder and harder, hoping that improvement will magically appear one day? When does quantity ever lead to quality? My amazing 1500 (for example) must first be preceded by an amazing 500 meters. [...]

Simple Math Can Swim Fast

It is the basic math of SL x SR that tells us where we are at and where we need to be in order to reach our goal. If I set a target of 17 strokes per 25m, starting with 1.20 second tempo, and I find that is it easy for me to hold optimal [...]