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Technique work is a waste of time

In Simon Ward, Training of TTC (September 14, 2009 4:31 pm)

Last week I heard my swim coach say “Perfect practice makes perfect”.

I agree! Technique work, in any sport is a waste of time if you are practicing the wrong technique. You have to start with the right technique and continuously work until you can repeat it perfectly, under pressure, not just in the training pool or the training track. Look at the best athletes and they are able to maintain good form even at the limit.

All well and good, but how do you know what the perfect technique is and how can you tell how close you are to achieving it?

http://www.thetriathloncoach.com/training-camps-2009.php

Well, regular input from a coach is a good start but even then that’s not enough. Recently, I asked a swimmer to do a straight arm drill. After a few lengths she was convinced that she’d “got it”. Trouble was she hadn’t “got it” at all. In fact it looked just the same as before my intervention. I even tried showing a video clip of her swimming and she still wasn’t convinced claiming that the person in the video wasn’t her. Eventually, when I pointed out that she was the only one in the lane, she relented and then we started to make some progress.

http://www.thetriathloncoach.com/training-camps-2009.php

You see even when you think you are doing something right you may not be. Alterations to habitual practice require constant attention and regular feedback, otherwise you’ll never move forward.

You need to see the model of good technique, see your own technique and then understand which drills will help you to move from where you are now to where you want to be.

Video feedback and coach intervention are two of the best ways to do this which is why the world best athletes have coaches and make regular use of video analysis.

Some of our best athletes go through this exact process every year….and that’s why they constantly post the best results and see the biggest improvements.

http://www.thetriathloncoach.com/training-camps-2009.php

If you want to be at the front of the pack in 2010 instead of in the middle then your first step is to work on your technique and now is the perfect time to get started.

Oh, and one other things about champions. They take action.. IMMEDIATE ACTION.

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