It is my favorite time of the season, the start of a new one!
So much goes into the start of the season. But a major issue is the ease that athletes approach the new season with. I have seen time and time again where athletes slowly get back into the swing of things, and by the time they are actually serious, the season is half over. Use the following “New Season Checklist” to make sure you start off on the right foot!
1. Review and Goal Setting: First and foremost, it is important to review the previous season in terms of goals and performance. Understand where you came from, where you went, why you went there, where you want to go, and how to get there. As I have said many times before, success cannot be reached without first defining goals. Goals give the athlete purpose and direction. Refine your goals BEFORE the new season starts. Answer the following questions, and be as detailed and as critical of yourself as possible:
a. What were my goals last season?
b. How was my performance last season?
c. Did my performance accurately depict my level of commitment and work ethic during last season?
d. Success or fail, why did my performance go the way it did last season?
e. What are my new goals in the coming season?
f. What do I need to continue to do, and what do I need to change, to make sure I obtain these new goals?
2. Practice with Intention: do not start out by being lazy. From the very first dive into the water on the very first practice, have intention in every movement and don’t waste a single stroke! That doesn’t mean you need to physically kill yourself on day one, but it does mean to start making productive changes immediately. If you are known for gliding into finishes, having lazy flip turns, or crossing over during freestyle, start fixing those issues right away. If your goal setting skills are solid, you’ll define a number of process goals that require intention.
3. Promote Good Habits: I’m sure I’m not the only one that feels this way, but even after a few days of being out of the water my body feels like it has forgotten how to swim. Each movement feels awkward and wrong and my body needs to re-learn how to move in the water. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS MOMENT! If your body needs to re-learn anyway, let’s teach it proper technique right away. THE BEST TIME TO MAKE PRODUCTIVE CHANGES IS DAY ONE! Do not waste time “getting your feel back” before making changes, especially if “your feel” is improper and inefficient technique. Don’t practice bad habits. Break them and change them. Which brings me to the next point…
4. Seek Extra Attention: Sometimes it’s hard to understand what needs to be fixed, where your goals should be focused, and what requires intention. Ask for help! Whether it is through me, or your own coach. Seek some extra help, right away, so you know where to direct your attention in order to improve. Again, DO NOT WAIT TO MAKE CHANGES!
I’ll be posting another blog soon about two techniques that can help set goals, motivate, and generate direction for attention and intention. Make sure to give it a read.
If you are interested in an Excel Swim Analysis (a 60-minute training session that gathers underwater footage of all four strokes, starts and turns, and identifies areas of improvement with drills that could help), book one now. If it is booked within the month of August, it is 15% off!
Good luck to everyone starting off the new season. Don't just train, EXCEL!
Comments