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Swim Positive
by Nick Baker
- What is the SP Philosophy?
- What are the benefits of a holistic approach?
- What are the benefits of a positive self-image?
- What are the benefits of a positive, stimulating and challenging training environment?
- What is the difference between the SP Philosophy and a traditional swim team philosophy?
- Why did you feel the need to offer an alternative philosophy?
- Is the SP Philosophy right for all coaches?
- What does it take to be a SP Coach?
- Can the SP Philosophy work without the involvement of swimmer and parent?
- What responsibilities does the SP Coach have to the swimmer?
- What responsibilities does the SP Coach have to the parent?
- What responsibilities does the SP Swimmer have?
- What responsibilities does the SP Parent have?
What is the SP Philosophy? (top)
Briefly, the Swim Positive Philosophy took root in 1972 - year one of my professional coaching career. It is based on three primary objectives:
- 1) To train swimmers holistically - combining physical, technical and mental conditioning
- 2) To instill a positive self-image within every swimmer
- 3) To create a positive, stimulating and challenging training environment
The SP Philosophy forms the philosophical foundation of Peak Performance Swim Camp and could easily serve as the philosophy for any swim team.
What are the benefits of a holistic approach? (top)
Watch any great swimmer compete and you will see that they maintain "peak form" throughout the entire race. Their stroke quality does not change from beginning to end. This is no coincidence, but rather, the result of holistic conditioning. A great swimmer possesses the physical fitness to go the distance, the technical expertise to maintain perfect form and the mental prowess to remain focused. Without question, a holistic approach focused on physical, technical and mental conditioning is the key to maximizing swimming potential. In a holistic approach these three forms of conditioning are blended together in different amounts - depending upon a swimmer's age, experience and talent inclination.
An 11-year old swimmer, for example, would require a different blend of conditioning compared to a 16-year old swimmer. In the case of the 11-year old, emphasis would be placed on technical conditioning first with physical and mental conditioning second. Emphasis for the 16-year old would be placed on physical conditioning first with technical and mental conditioning second.
Each form of conditioning has "a window of opportunity" or a period of time when it would yield the most benefit. Should a swimmer miss a "window" their chances of maximizing their potential would be limited.
What are the benefits of a positive self-image? (top)
The needs of a competitive swimmer are two-fold. On the swimming-specific side, they require an approach that offers the ideal amount of physical, technical and mental conditioning. On the non-swimming-specific side, they require an approach that instills a positive self-image. Why? Because self-image serves as an internal guidance system - influencing motivation, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors. A well-conditioned swimmer with a positive self-image is unstoppable - feeling empowered and ready to "take on the world"! A well-conditioned swimmer who lacks a positive self-image will fail to swim-up to their potential time and time again.
What are the benefits of a positive, stimulating and challenging training environment? (top)
There is a lot of truth to the saying: "you can attract more bees with honey than with vinegar." I believe this truism applies to training competitive swimmers as well. The coach who can create a positive training environment has a much better chance of attracting, connecting and keeping swimmers versus one who does not. Plus, a positive training environment creates the atmosphere that anything is possible - ideal for a sport like competitive swimming.
Swimming can be a very boring sport at times if the coach fails to create a stimulating environment. The problem with boredom is that it can "extinguish the fire" within most swimmers. Without a doubt, there are certain benefits to repeating certain drill and challenge sets, but a coach must constantly "stir the pot" to keep swimmers stimulated and engaged.
The quote: "challenges are what makes life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful," sums up the importance of a challenging training environment. The need to challenge swimmers on a day-to-day basis is unquestioned. Overcoming challenge not only bolsters a swimmer's self-confidence but self-image as well. The secret is to make each challenge obtainable, not necessarily on the first try, but within a reasonable period of time.
What is the difference between the SP Philosophy and a traditional swim team philosophy? (top)
The difference lies in the objective. The SP Philosophy has a three-fold objective: to maximize swimming potential through holistic means, to instill a positive self-image within every swimmer and to create a positive, stimulating and challenging training environment. Each objective merits equal importance and are designed to work in unison.
In comparison, the traditional swim team philosophy focuses primarily on physical conditioning as a means to maximize swimming potential. Obviously, averages vary from level to level and age group to age group, but it is not uncommon for a traditional swim team to spend a minimum of 85% of their total time on "in-water" physical conditioning - allowing little time for technical, mental or "dry-land conditioning." While there is no doubt that physical fitness plays a critical role in swimming performance, a physically fit swimmer who lacks the necessary technical and mental skills will never maximize their potential.
Why did you feel the need to offer an alternative philosophy? (top)
It stems from my desire to make the competitive swimming experience more meaningful and fulfilling. Without question, the sport of competitive swimming offers a great deal: the numerous health and fitness benefits, the structure and discipline, the thrill and reward of competition, the friendships and travel and the joy of feeling one with the water. It also has the capacity to instill a positive self-image within every swimmer - a characteristic synonymous with success.
Is the SP Philosophy right for all coaches? (top)
In all honesty, the SP Philosophy will not appeal to the majority of coaches. It is ideally suited for the coach who can see the magic in combining holistic conditioning and self-image enhancement within a positive, stimulating and challenging training environment.
The SP Philosophy cannot be faked or doled out in "bits and pieces." It is an "all or nothing" philosophy. The SP Coach must be willing to live the SP philosophy every coaching moment.
What does it take to be a SP Coach? (top)
The phrase "10 Coaches-10 Approaches" is a favorite of mine. While there is no doubt that every coach is uniquely different and qualified, all SP Coaches should share certain attitudes, beliefs and behaviors. These include:
- Must demonstrate a full commitment to the SP Philosophy
- Must be passionate about making a positive difference in a swimmer's life
- Must remain consistent with the SP Philosophy
- Must see themselves as a positive role model and lead by example
- Must see the "big picture" and focus on long term, sustainable growth
- Must be passionate about coaching
- Must be patient
- Must conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times
- Must have an optimistic view of life
- Must maintain open lines of communication
- Must seek to empower
- Must be fully engaged in practice
- Must offer practices that fulfill the needs of every swimmer
- Must be progressive in thinking
- Must constantly look for ways to enhance a swimmer's self-image
- Must remain technically current
- Must emphasize "quality over quantity"
- Must be pro-active on program planning and meet scheduling
- Must be a driving force on pool deck
- Must come to practice prepared
- Must remain open minded and flexible
- Must provide daily opportunities for success
- Must communicate expectations clearly
- Must bring positive energy to the pool deck
- Must judge swimmers based on effort
Can the SP Philosophy work without the involvement of swimmer and parent? (top)
Absolutely not! The popular expression: "united we stand - divided we fall" is most appropriate in the case of the SP Philosophy. The SP Coach as guardian of the philosophy must unite with both swimmer and parent to form a team. Once united, each team member must take responsibility in order for the SP Philosophy to work.
What responsibilities does the SP Coach have to the swimmer? (top)
- To respect the "swimmer-coach" relationship
- To see their role as both mentor and coach
- To foster a winning mindset
- To provide unconditional support
- To expand a swimmer's knowledge base to heighten competence and confidence levels
- To judge based on effort - not outcome
- To keep the "big picture" in mind
- To be empathetic
- To act as an advocate - working hard to remove obstacles that may impede progress
- To accept the swimmer for who they are
- To take shared responsibility for the outcome
- To use words and deeds to create positive change
- To foster a love for the sport
- To seek to empower
- To offer a well-balanced and progressive curriculum
- To recognize that each swimmer progresses at their own rate
- To recognize accomplishment - no matter how big or small
- To provide meaningful and productive practices
- To reward resourcefulness
- To offer a meet schedule that provides opportunities for all
- To provide constant opportunities for success
- To establish meaningful goals
- To instill passion - as passion encourages engagement and heightens motivation
What responsibilities does the SP Coach have to the parent? (top)
- To respect the "parent-coach" relationship
- To consider the parent whenever possible
- To provide open and frequent communication
- To keep all team dealings transparent
- To respect the parent's point of view
- To provide ongoing parental education
- To encourage an open-door-policy
- To be courteous
- To address parental concerns in a timely manner
- To respect the parent's role
- To be flexible
- To remain objective
- To keep the parent updated on their child's progress
- To inform parents immediately should they suspect a swimming related injury or illness
What responsibilities does the SP Swimmer have? (top)
- To respect the "coach-swimmer" relationship
- To be patient and allow the SP Philosophy time to work
- To speak positively about the coach and program
- To attend all designated practices
- To participate in all team functions
- To be fully engaged in practice
- To swim technically correct in practice
- To appreciate the value of holistic conditioning - physical, technical and mental
- To give 100% at swim meets
- To insist on quality every lap
- To respect all members of the coaching staff
- To possess an open and curious mind
- To behave like a lady or gentleman at all times
- To be flexible
- To respect the privacy of fellow teammates
- To attend all designated swim meets
- To bring positive energy to practice
- To respect the coaches expectations
- To be optimistic
- To use their words and actions to create positive change
- To represent the team with pride
- To respect and follow team guidelines
- To have clear and concise swimming goals
- To encourage fellow teammates
- To be a catalyst for positive change
- To fully commit to team goals
What responsibilities does the SP Parent have? (top)
- To respect the "coach-parent" relationship
- To be patient and allow the SP Philosophy time to work
- To maintain an open dialogue with the child’s coach
- To volunteer
- To be enthusiastic
- To refrain from using meet results as the only indication of their child's improvement
- To act as an advocate - working hard to remove obstacles that may impede progress
- To encourage their child to be fully engaged in the program
- To represent the team with pride
- To ensure that the child arrives on time to practice and swim meets
- To assist their child in maintaining an excellent attendance record
- To be flexible
- To respect and follow team guidelines
- To leave the coaching to the coach
- To participate in team functions
- To respect the coach and their point of view
- To respect the "coach-swimmer" relationship
- To recognize the coaches’ responsibilities to all the children
