AquaCam and Motivational Concepts

1. Building from Age Group to Elite by Bill Thompson, De Anza Cupertino Aquatics (2012) Tips on coaching age groupers and setting them up for success at the higher levels. Talks about effective ways to teach and motivate.

2. Building Your 8-Under Group: Why and how. Do you struggle to field a legal 8-U Boys Medley Relay? Why 8-unders are the future of your team and how to build a strong base of young, FAST swimmers.

3. Commanding the Workout by Don Heidary (Clinic Talk -2007) You may “inspire” every day but can you inspire EVERYONE, every day? Don explains his tips and helps you evaluate your abilities to become more effective.

4. FILLING EMOTIONAL TANKS - The “E-Tank” from www.positivecoach.org Each person has an “Emotional Tank” that works like the gas tank of a car. When the tank is empty, we go nowhere. When the tank is full, we can go nearly anywhere. Athletes with full E-Tanks feel connected to their team and coach, which enables them to learn, perform and compete better!

5. 10-under Skills Certificate (with sticker incentive): One team’s incentive to promote the learning of basic skills for new 10-under swimmers. Good list of basic, intermediate and advanced skills.

6. Factors Affecting Performance by Greig Cronauer (ASCA Newsletter, Volume 2003, Issue 9) Not only a complete breakdown of what goes into swimming performance but a great way to get these points across to younger swimmers with a creative presentation.

7. First day, First practice: Very first practice with a group of brand new swimmers who passed the 25 Free swim test to join the team. One coach’s format to start them out.

8. How Not to Talk to Your Kids, The Inverse Power of Praise:  ASCA Newsletter-2009.  By Po Bronson Why is praise a double-edged sword? What is good to praise and what isn’t? Some great stories and examples for coaches to learn from.

9. Development Of A Swim Coaching Philosophy “What the heck is a “philosophy”…. and what do I do with it once I have one?” by Greig Cronauer, from American Swimming Magazine 2023: Volume 4

10. Planning Your Practices: A basic outline for what you need to think about before putting “pen to paper” in writing your weekly plans or individual practices. Sample of each shown on second page.

11. Writing your “Sales Piece” For Your Latest Project: By John Leonard ASCA Newsletter, 2000 Issue 9. Brief outline on how to sell your coaching ideas, which could be anything from a different fundraiser, setting up a travel fund, building a pool, or even selling your swimmers on the benefits of doing 12 x 400 IM.

12. Photos of Streamline Positions to print and show your swimmers for visual impact.

13. Teaching Butterfly: Outline for Assistant Coaches One team’s format for what Fly skills were to be taught that season, using key words and drills for consistency.

14. TEACHING STROKES – 101 By Jim Reiser, University of South Carolina, ASCA Newsletter Issue 2000 - #7 Teaching drills, ideas and things to consider when coaching technique to young swimmers, from a physical education perspective.

15. Teaching the Motor Skills of Swimming: By Greig Cronauer. Understanding how different swimmers “absorb” technique instruction is critical. It is not a “one-size-fits-all” approach. Understanding and using these six different techniques will increase your effectiveness. Examples and tips are included.

16. Developing Swimmers: Tricks of the Swim Trade: By Lorna Snow, ASCA Newsletter Volume 2011, Issue 2 Lists 10 “Musts” for clubs and offers catch phrases and stroke drills that have been effective for her successful club teams.

17. Incentives for What you Want to Achieve: Examples of a few successful incentives and ways to think about what type of incentives are best for your swimmers.

18.Sample Weekly Outline with Fly Emphasis and Set Explanation: Practice outline for week three given to four Age Group coaches who handle 70 swimmers in an 8-lane pool, ranging from Novice 8-under to Junior Prep. Includes a detailed explanation of a specific set to be done regularly throughout the season as well as Fly basics to be taught to all groups.

19. Sample Weekly Outline with Daily Practices (Week 7)

20. What Makes a Good Coach? 2010 Study by Pat Patterson ASCA Newsletter 2010, Issue 5 This study interviewed over 400 individuals, including athletes, students, coaches and athletic administrators to get an all-around perspective on what makes a good coach. Learn what others think a good coach is.