TEAM WORK

  I was having "writers block" the last few days to have a topic to discuss going into this weekends races so I reached out to a fellow coach and parent for suggestions and she said "teamwork", so let's see what we can do with this topic.

Swimming, individual or team sport?  What are your thoughts on the subject?  You may have to think outside the box when you answer that one.

Swimming by it's very nature can be a very individual sport if you allow it to happen.

What do you think would happen to the dog in the picture if his little teammate/friend was not there to help him out ?  Probably would have been able to get his toy but then would have to do a little dog paddle to get to the side, and then would he have been able to climb out?  Endless possibilities, but all avoided because of TEAMWORK.

As we said at the beginning swimming by nature can be a very individual and lonely sport if you allow it.  Think about it you dive in and begin your journey down that long black line surrounded by silence and immersed with your own thoughts when all of the sudden you are met at the end of the repeat by that familiar face, a teammate, a friend, you exchange a glance a few words to help you out and off you go.

That strong team/group culture will increase your overall success in the pool as you work towards your goals but it can also hold you back.  The swimming season is long and WE all have those days or workouts where we need some encouragement to get through.  Swimmers are not alone in this, all athletes go through it if they stay in the sport long enough.  What can you do create a positive team/group culture that will benefit everyone and ultimately yourself.

The first think you can do is "TAKE OWNERSHIP" of your swimming, something we've repeated over and over the last few years.  At some time you need to stop making excuses or coming up with reasons why you can't do something.  You need to put a foot down and it may be at that time that you have to become a leader.  Stepping up and taking the lead can be a scary thing because being that one who gets in on time or does each repeat properly and without complaining can make you stand out and it can be both hard and challenging, but you know what being excellent is not normal.  To help each of you overcome this challenge when we come back from this meet we are going to have mystery leaders of each lane periodically.

Leaders come from all types.  There are those leaders that can be very loud and boisterous but I also had very good leaders on our summer teams who are quiet and reserve.  They lead by example or they might have that one word of encouragement for a swimmer who is down and struggling.  The last thing that all leaders do is criticize, instead they motivate, encourage, help a teammate who is struggling.  Step up and help the newbies in the group, help them understand the standard and what is expected within the group.  Give them pointers, encourage them to try going a little harder, give them their times, be positive after a BIG number.  You don't have to be a superstar to have a big impact on another swimmer. 

Have you ever been put in this position during a workout; You go first! No way. You're always on my feet.  You Go.  Always going through that tug-of-war about who is going to lead.  Developing lane leaders involves so much more than about who is going first. Leading the lane involves accepting all of the following; 

•  Be First-- You should be the first in the pool.  You set the tone of the workout.  
• Attention--  You need to understand the set and what the goals of the set are.  Get others in the lane to be quiet so that they are able to hear what is expected. 
• Understand the clock-- You don't have to be a math major but you do have to do some simple arithmetic such as adding and subtracting.  So much swimming is mental and that is why I like to throw sets into the workout from time to time where we may do something on the 21 or 37. It helps keep us mentally sharp.  Lane leaders understand the clock, they leave on time, every time.
• Be Flexible--  Sometimes in the set different strokes are performed.  Help you lane mates organize so that the breaststrokers don't become road kill by the freestylers.
• Be Committed-- This simply means not getting out. Period. If you're in practice, you stay in practice until it's over.  No getting out for bathroom breaks.  No stopping during sets to fix goggles.  Whatever comes your way, you face it head on and complete the task at hand.  Whatever the coach throws your way, embrace it and set the example for the group.

Being the lane leader simply means having pride in yourself, your fellow swimmers and the task at hand.  You don't need to be a screamer.  You don't need to be a "in your face person".   Be yourself, an organized and committed athlete with the one goal of "being better" and bringing as many of your teammates with you as you can.  You bring your teammates UP to a new level instead of allowing them to flounder like a fish out of water.  

All of you have had those races where for whatever reason you seem to struggle and all of a sudden you hear a familiar voice in the distance shout out.  Somehow that voice gives you the inner strength to reach down swim a little harder and get's you to the finish.  Instead of sitting around on those cold metal bleachers, get off your butts and go to the end of the lane and cheer for your teammates no matter who it may be.  Without knowing you might also benefit by getting your blood circulation going... A WIN--WIN for everybody in the group

As a swimmer remember that practices are designed to get each of you to your goals and the time you spend in the pool is all about YOU, to challenge YOU, to make YOU better.  When we are not working together lanes, and workouts are disorganized, unproductive and in the end... nobody wins...everyone loses.

We are all in this together and we need to work as a cohesive group to keep moving forward.  In the end I believe everyone will benefit and will get better.