For most athletes, getting better at swimming requires stroke improvements such as head position, arm movements/timing, kicking, rotation, etc. Making changes to current muscle memory is difficult and takes hundreds of repetitions of new movement patterns to break old, inefficient techniques. Additionally, the old movement patterns “fight” to retain the old ways. Intense concentration and focus are needed to move the body parts to new, more efficient positions. One method to increase focus is self-talk while swimming. Continuously repeating phrases such as “look down” or “pause front” can keep the brain from wandering to other things like getting a breath or even just making it to the other side of the pool. Self-talk is one of the many skills we teach in our Private Swim Lessons and our Swim 101 class.

Joe LoPresto is the CEO, Head Coach and Race Director of Experience Triathlon.   As leaders in the endurance services industry, Coach Joe and the Experience Triathlon Leadership Team help athletes of all ages and abilities achieve success in every aspect of their lives.  Learn more about Coach Joe and Experience Triathlon at www.experiencetriathlon.com.