channeling the
practice work ethic
by michael j . stott
When it comes to working hard in practice, all swimmers are not created equal! But one thing is true, not only in swimming, but in life
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Focus on what you are able to do and the things you are able to accomplish. Be happy for your teammates when they do well because—even if you don’t see it— your work ethic and perseverance may be what helps them reach their success.
Brent Kintzer
as well: you get out
Randolph Macon College
what you put in.
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t’s a confusing and difficult problem for a coach: “How does one deal with a swimmer who has enormous talent, but little motivation to practice hard?” “It’s a huge challenge,” says Annie Babicz, assistant coach with the Crow Canyon Sharks in Danville, Calif. As a talented age grouper and former All-American swimmer at Cal, Babicz uses personal experiences to relate to her charges. “Swimmers go through a roller coaster of training habits. Comparing current performance levels with the ‘what ifs’ of potential can be quite helpful,” she says. “Often, the talented—but not necessarily hard-working—athletes already view themselves as the big fish in the little pond. It’s my job to refocus their energy on striving for
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the next big thing—whether that is going from JOs to Far Westerns, from sectionals to junior nationals or from looking at Division II to Division I colleges. There’s always room to improve. “After refocusing the swimmer, it’s about keeping them on task in daily practice and reminding them of their goals. It can be extremely frustrating when you see someone wasting their talent, but it’s about providing athletes with the necessary skills to reach their own personal potential,” says Babicz. “There are those who get results without hard work and those who work day-in and day-out to reach levels more easily achieved by naturally gifted athletes. I’ve found the best approach is to get the dedicated workers to focus on their own journeys—whether that is in terms
of goal times, technique improvement or mental/race preparation. Humans have a natural inclination to compare themselves to others. I ask swimmers to focus on their own efforts instead of worrying about what teammates are doing—or not doing.” COMMUNICATION The swimmer who has enormous talent and performs well, but isn’t motivated to practice hard is a “coach’s nightmare,” offers Rob Walker, head coach and founder of All Star Aquatics in Bethesda, Md. “Enormous talent comes with a price. Some have grown early, and size has led them to the top. Others have found success without really correcting anything or trying,” he says. — continued on 28 April 2013
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