Victory Favors Preparation

At BSC we talk a lot about preparation and how that preparation leads to victory—or success. I want everyone to think about three links in the chain of preparation: preparing a goal, preparing to meet that goal, preparing to exceed that goal.

First, is the link of preparing a goal. A goal time in swimming should be one that is challenging and time sensitive. If our friend Billy Bathwater goes a 34.24 in the 11-12 50meter free—right at a Regional time. A good goal would be to say, “I want to go a 31.00 in the 50meter free by Age Group Champs.” Billy now has a goal that is both a challenge and is one level higher than where he currently is. This is only a one event example, but BSC Teammates should have these types of goals for every event—even ones they don't swim all the time.

Second is the link of preparing to meet that goal. Now that Billy has a goal and a time schedule for that goal he needs to figure out what he needs to do in practice to achieve that goal. This may be a good time to ask a coach what needs to be done. The coach can easily do the math as well as make technical and attendance suggestions at the same time. In order for Billy to swim is 31.00 in the 50meter free he needs to look at it three ways—how fast do I need to go in practice, how often do I need to practice, and what technical things do I need to work on. Billy's coach tells him he needs to keep his head straight and still as well as pull through his hips on his freestyle—this is technical preparation. Billy's coach continues an tells him that he needs to swim 15 seconds per 25 whenever we do 25s—this is the math part 15 plus 15 equals 30seconds for a 50free. Finally, Billys coach suggests that he commit to coming 5 times per week instead of his usual 3 times per week—this is the attendance part.

Third is the link of preparing to exceed that goal. If Billy commits to the first two links it becomes very likely he will achieve his goal in less time. This is where preparing to exceed your goal comes in. Billy ought to have in mind what the Top 16 scoring time is at the Age Group meet so he has an idea of how much further he has to go to the next level. It is all to common for a young swimmer to achieve their goal time and then have a major let down mentally. This usually results in backsliding in areas of technique, training and attendance. Keeping a goal beyond the goal in mind will really help Billy stay focused for the entire season.

Throughout all three stages, preparing a goal, preparing to meet that goal and preparing to exceed that goal, it is important to always be measuring progress and always adapting preparation along the way. Injury, Illness, Vacation, and Pool Closures are all wild cards in this process. It is so important to be really really consistent in all three areas so when a wild card event happens it will have a minimal effect on the desired outcome. Stay Focused, Stay Flexible, and Stay Hungry!

Lets have a great summer and shoot for a Top 5 Finish at Senior Champs and Age Group Champs!!

PRACTICE LIKE A CHAMPION TODAY!!

RACE LIKE A CHAMPION TODAY AT SECTIONALS, JUNIOR OLYMPICS and NATIONALS!!