THE FINISH

 As I was watching you all on Monday and Tuesday doing your finishes on are fast repeats I noticed one glaring thing and that was how lackadaisical ( I know big word for me 🤪) you were with your last couple of strokes.  It’s not trying to be negative.  The finishes just don’t pass the old eye test tat coaches have and yes I can see the finishes.

 I was reading through a book and was reminded how important your mindset is in the sport of swimming.  If you go back and watch the 100 fly men's final in the 2008 Olympics when Phelps was trailing coming into the wall you will see how in a split second a decision Phelps made secured his place in history.  

Sure he was a talented swimmer with a great feel for the water but he also had the mindset to never give up, trust his instincts and finish what he started, something that I think a lot of swimmers overlook during their training.  They take the little things for granted such as the starts, turns, breathing and finishes which brings us to our topic today.

You had a great start and swimming the race of your life but in a a split second decision you pull back and coast into that finish,  Why would you do that?  Making a decision that will cost you hundreds or tenths of a second in a sport that could cost you a cut, a spot at finials, a place on the podium or at the very least a PB.

My take on this part of your race is that it comes down to your mindset, a will to never give up and trust your instincts.  Its not like your devices where you can ask it a question and instant results follow.  Swimming is not your phone.  You actually have to "CHOP WOOD" (do the work)

if you want results and your mindset is no different than any other part of your swimming.  So what are the critical things to focus on for a "championship mako" finish.

• First thing is to lock your mind into that finish.  See it.  Feel it.  Train your finish in workout that's where it starts. Every finish is another opportunity for you to master your finish.
• Your finish begins anywhere from 5-10 meters out.  Maintain your speed  all the way in.  Do not let up and coast in.
• Use your legs.  Your lungs are burning, arms are heavy, use the legs to drive you into that wall.
• Finish with your head down and at full extension. We are not breathing into that wall.  It's a MINDSET. a DECISION made by you.  Regardless of the event your focus is to get your hand or hands on the pad faster than your competition.  It starts with your head down and not trying to look at the scoreboard.
• Don't just touch the wall.  Accelerate through the wall.  Punch a hole in that wall.

"THE RACE SET"

As many rounds as possible  at end of workout

• 1x15 choice from a start on whistle
• 1x30 choice (same stroke)with turn
• 1x15 choice (same stroke) fast finish

HOG the lane stay in the middle.  After start stay at 15 until everyone is done than we go into the next part one at a time and so on.  Everything is done at race speed.

Why do it you ask?  It puts your whole race out there.  The start, the turn, and the finish.  It's an opportunity for you to improve those parts of your races.

You too can have the mindset of a champion if you work at it.