Sunday 25 March 2012

Blog 1187: Leicester League etc

I would like to pass on my congratulations to Bob and his team for last nights performance. The team spirit showed by the swimmers there was amazing, proving there is no I in team. With many swimmers having to competing against swimmers much older than themselves in different age groups, caused by drop outs and injuries, I would like to stress that event's such as Leicester League are an important part of the clubs calendar, as it is times like these where we come together and swim for each other not ourselves. So whether you are there for just one relay or for 3 individuals and 4 relays, you are all part of a team and should consider it an honor to be selected, especially as places for teams are getting more and more competitive. We have the Diddy league coming up, and a couple of Trophy gala's as well, one where we will be selecting swimmers who don't normally do team events to give them a chance of experiencing this exciting format of swimming and one where we will be entering the strongest team possible as a last preparation for Arena league, where I hope we repeat the performance of last year and make the final.

Sat in amongst the parents last night gave me an opportunity to watch and listen. The main focus was starts and turns and once again I have to point out a few simple facts. No other clubs program have focus sessions on starts and turns, they are incorporated into sets just like ours. It is down to the swimmer to take on the advice of the coach when doing a start or a turn and not be lazy in doing so, as it showed last night those swimmers with poor training habits took them into the races, something myself and the other coaches have warned against time and time again to these swimmers. Every time you do more than one length you do a turn so practice every turn you do in training as if it were a race turn even if it is not at race pace you can still focus on the skill level. Every time you do a sprint set from the blocks when the coach says take your marks, take your marks, don't just flop down on the block and fall into the pool, do a proper racing start. When someone commented on how strong the opposition looked I took it upon myself to speak to their coach afterwards and he told me his swimmers (13 and under) were doing 7/8 sessions a week totaling around 12 hours and many were working with the local performance club (City of Leicester - ours is Derventio), if you don't match the hours you won't be able to compete so I ask, please attend as many sessions as possible, we as a club are on the verge of something special we just need you, the swimmers, to push us over the line with focus hard work and increased attendance.

Blog 1186: Leicester League

Long Eaton finished in 5th place in the final of the Leicester League held at Braunstone on Saturday. Once again several swimmers were missing due to injuries, but credit to all swimmers who on the night showed determination and commitment, racing against strong opposition.

A number of races produced very close finishes and when this happens small but important details like not breathing in the final five metres can make a significant difference in the final positioning of the race, and subsequently the final points tally at the end of the gala.

Once again I would like to thank all the officials and Team managers for their help over the three rounds of this competition. Finally also a big thank you to all the swimmers who swam over the three rounds, especially to those who braved the wintery conditions in early February, to attend the second round at Leicester. (also thanks to the parents for getting the swimmers there)!


Bob

Sunday 18 March 2012

Blog 1181: County Wrap up

With counties finally over till Long Course in November, I can report back on what has been another massive step forward for Long Eaton Swimming Club. Last year we totalled 36 golds and this year we increased that to 55. That is almost as impressive as the number of PB's swum this year, with nearly every swimmer equalling or beating their previous personal best in most races. What was also pleasing, was to see those who did enter, trying new events, and actually realizing that there is more to swimming than just 50s, with events from 200m up being really enjoyable and that there is more than one stroke to do. This is a major break through for the club and, hopefully, we, as a club, can continue to develop in this vein. I would like to pass on my thanks to everyone who helped out at these events, as, without your help, this important step for swimmers could not take place. Whilst this improvement is great, we still have work to do; remember, listen to your coach, remember the feedback they give you, and try and do it, in every session you attend.

Friday 16 March 2012

Blog 1179:Exploring Stress in Sport

If you are 18 and over I am wondering if you can help me.
My name is Rachel Arnold and I am currently studying for a PhD in Sport and Performance Psychology at Loughborough University.
For my PhD, I am exploring the pressures that sport performers have experienced as part of their participation in competitive sport.
To explore this, I have developed a short indicator (which takes around only 10 minutes and is very easy to complete).

(survey click here)

The indicator can be extremely helpful to sport performers, since it can help them to identify the factors that are creating stress for them within their sporting environments, how they typically cope with these pressures, and the impact this might have on their emotions, satisfaction, behaviours and performance.

All that the indicator requires is that you are 18 years / 18 & over and have participated in competitive sport over the past month at a club or university level or higher. Any personally identifiable information that is provided on the indicator will remain confidential. Apart from the researchers, nobody will have access to any responses.

Looking forward to receiving your survey
Kind Regards

Rachel Arnold

Monday 12 March 2012

Blog 1176: 2nd Weekend of counties

Another weekend of counties are over and only relays to go. Once again Long Eaton swimmers provided us with exceptional performances and lots more Gold to go along with lots of personnel best times. Remember you can only control what you do and not what others do so look at how you swam and what time you did not where you came, fast times will bring golds not the other way around. For a full set of results please see the Derbyshire website, As you know I dont single praise out to anyone swimmer as we are a team and our individual results reflect on the club. If I mention one swimmer and not another it creates issues. We had several swimmers win or place in the BAGCATS competitions so check out those results and pass on your congratulations to those swimmers who are not only a champion in one race but in the multi event categories which show who is the best swimmer not just the best at one event.

Blog 1175: Hannah Jones at Trials

Long Eaton would like to add their congratulations to swimmer Hannah Jones who trains with Derventio Excel who was third in the junior 200 fly at British Trials last week.

Monday 5 March 2012

Blog 1171: 1 down 2 to go

The first weekend of counties has now been completed and for all those that competed I would pass on my congratulations. Personal best times came crashing down and Midland qualifying times were achieve or brought closer. Such has been the improvement in the club that we now stand on 39 gold medals, which is 3 more than we achieved in the whole of last years counties, with still around another 110 golds to be raced for. As a few have dropped out of relays due to injury or illness please be on stand by to be called up next week after the final round of individual competition, I will be posting final teams a week today. Keep up the great work from this weekend. Despite us wining more golds than before we need to keep working hard, listening to all the coaches and doing the details right. Warm ups are vitally important so that you race well as is approaching your coach before and after the race for advice and feedback. Keep hydrated as these are long days and performance drops with dehydration and eat well to keep the body fueled. Once again well done to all and keep it going.