UPCOMING MEETS:
We have 2 meets coming up in February that our groups should be entering. The SNOW meet on February 8 and the PM Qualifier February 15 and 16. I have asked Coach Heather to open the PM meet to the Junior Blue group also.
Here are my thoughts as you enter these meets. You should not be entering any events that you will be swimming at JO's. We should be entering events that we are close to making for JO's.
DISTANCE MEET:
We are going to be attending the distance meet on Sunday February 9. This will allow those of you who wish the opportunity to swim the 1000 or the 1650 free.
MEET RESULTS:
We had 2 meets to start off the new year. This past weekend was the January Open, and we had a lot of outstanding swims turned in by our groups, with quite a few JO cuts reached. Several swimmers had a great performance in the 500 free on Saturday, a lot of them getting the bell lap. We also found that one of our senior prep swimmers has trouble counting from 1-20. This person will remain nameless because I told Gillian I would not say anything. (oops!)
WEEKLY TOPIC "TAKING RESPONSIBILITY"
This is the time of year in our sport where athletes begin to get worn down, start felling a little extra pressure as championship season draws nearer, and mid-term projects in school become due. On the school end it is important that you are getting the proper rest, and that your nutrition habits remain good. Also make sure you are getting LOTS AND LOTS OF WATER to keep your engine functioning properly. Keep up with that school work and DO NOT put it off until the last minute.
As for the swimming end all of the above is important along with your practice. I have heard that there is some grumblings about maybe I am not being positive enough or that I may be yelling to much, and not supportive enough. That being said I will offer the following I am coaching 3 separate and different groups who are at different levels, and I look at that while
I am coaching. However what I cannot and will not accept are the same mistakes which are
made over and over. We are in the core of our season with championships right around the corner, and I expect more and will hold you accountable each and every day. The first area is that you may feel like you get yelled at every day for getting in late. My question to you is why are you late day after day, and if you do not enjoy being called out then why don't you fix the problem? The next area is after a race you talk to the coaches and they give you valuable FEEDBACK to take back to practice and work on. My question is, "Do you work on it or do you just swim lap after lap with no direction?" That is not practicing. At practice you should not be worried about how many are left or what time it is, instead think how can I become a better swimmer on this lap. Then you show up at the next meet and repeat the exact same mistake! Very frustrating as I watch it unfold all over again, and than I have to deal with you who are visibly upset! Depending on what level you are at will determine my response to your swim. As quick as I am in pointing out the positives I will be just as quick in pointing out things that can help you including the things that upset me greatly. That is part of my job. What you all need to do is to take it as CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM
I have always said that as a coach I am always happy for a swimmer after a swim even if the time is not good, AS LONG AS THERE IS EFFORT AND HEART put into it. I have swam and done other sports and understand that the results will not always be positive, but I had a football coach (Bob Herb) who told me to be prepared mentally and physically to leave your best on the field during each contest, and never disrespect yourself or the sport by settling for anything less.
Here is a poem I used years ago by Peter Dale Wimbrow Sr.
BOTTOM LINE STOP BLAMING OTHERS, OR MAKING EXCUSES TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ACTIONS!!!
We have 2 meets coming up in February that our groups should be entering. The SNOW meet on February 8 and the PM Qualifier February 15 and 16. I have asked Coach Heather to open the PM meet to the Junior Blue group also.
Here are my thoughts as you enter these meets. You should not be entering any events that you will be swimming at JO's. We should be entering events that we are close to making for JO's.
DISTANCE MEET:
We are going to be attending the distance meet on Sunday February 9. This will allow those of you who wish the opportunity to swim the 1000 or the 1650 free.
MEET RESULTS:
We had 2 meets to start off the new year. This past weekend was the January Open, and we had a lot of outstanding swims turned in by our groups, with quite a few JO cuts reached. Several swimmers had a great performance in the 500 free on Saturday, a lot of them getting the bell lap. We also found that one of our senior prep swimmers has trouble counting from 1-20. This person will remain nameless because I told Gillian I would not say anything. (oops!)
WEEKLY TOPIC "TAKING RESPONSIBILITY"
This is the time of year in our sport where athletes begin to get worn down, start felling a little extra pressure as championship season draws nearer, and mid-term projects in school become due. On the school end it is important that you are getting the proper rest, and that your nutrition habits remain good. Also make sure you are getting LOTS AND LOTS OF WATER to keep your engine functioning properly. Keep up with that school work and DO NOT put it off until the last minute.
As for the swimming end all of the above is important along with your practice. I have heard that there is some grumblings about maybe I am not being positive enough or that I may be yelling to much, and not supportive enough. That being said I will offer the following I am coaching 3 separate and different groups who are at different levels, and I look at that while
I am coaching. However what I cannot and will not accept are the same mistakes which are
made over and over. We are in the core of our season with championships right around the corner, and I expect more and will hold you accountable each and every day. The first area is that you may feel like you get yelled at every day for getting in late. My question to you is why are you late day after day, and if you do not enjoy being called out then why don't you fix the problem? The next area is after a race you talk to the coaches and they give you valuable FEEDBACK to take back to practice and work on. My question is, "Do you work on it or do you just swim lap after lap with no direction?" That is not practicing. At practice you should not be worried about how many are left or what time it is, instead think how can I become a better swimmer on this lap. Then you show up at the next meet and repeat the exact same mistake! Very frustrating as I watch it unfold all over again, and than I have to deal with you who are visibly upset! Depending on what level you are at will determine my response to your swim. As quick as I am in pointing out the positives I will be just as quick in pointing out things that can help you including the things that upset me greatly. That is part of my job. What you all need to do is to take it as CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM
I have always said that as a coach I am always happy for a swimmer after a swim even if the time is not good, AS LONG AS THERE IS EFFORT AND HEART put into it. I have swam and done other sports and understand that the results will not always be positive, but I had a football coach (Bob Herb) who told me to be prepared mentally and physically to leave your best on the field during each contest, and never disrespect yourself or the sport by settling for anything less.
Here is a poem I used years ago by Peter Dale Wimbrow Sr.
"THE MAN IN THE GLASS"
When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes you king for a day
Just go to the mirror and look at yourself
And see what the man has to say.
For it isn't your father, or mother, or wife
Whose judgment upon you must pass
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the one staring back from the glass.
He's the fellow to please---never mind all the rest
For he's with you, clear to the end
And you've passed your most difficult, dangerous test
If the man in the glass is your friend.
You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years
And get pats on the back as you pass
But your final reward will be heartache and tears
If you've cheated the man in the glass.
When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes you king for a day
Just go to the mirror and look at yourself
And see what the man has to say.
For it isn't your father, or mother, or wife
Whose judgment upon you must pass
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the one staring back from the glass.
He's the fellow to please---never mind all the rest
For he's with you, clear to the end
And you've passed your most difficult, dangerous test
If the man in the glass is your friend.
You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years
And get pats on the back as you pass
But your final reward will be heartache and tears
If you've cheated the man in the glass.
BOTTOM LINE STOP BLAMING OTHERS, OR MAKING EXCUSES TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ACTIONS!!!
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