Aim: To learn from the best of the best about the development of swimming and challenges and opportunities we face on a daily basis
Key points from the top coaches
Rohan Taylor (Leisel Jones's coach)
- create an environment of trust and openness
- S&C was a priority after 2006: bike, gym circuit, boxing, and olympic lifting
- 60% of training was focused on breast stroke
- recovery prescribed when adapting and cannot hold technique
- athletes' ability to switch ON and OFF
Michael Bohl (Stephanie Rice's coach)
- balance between speed and endurance
- create an environment of positive and everyone on same direction
- analyze split time
Bill Sweetenham (Former Head Coach Australia and Great Britain)
- plan = change
- 6 year plan not 4 year plan to prepare for Olympics
- take a team approach: lead to success, confidence, and positive
- winning experience not an experience
- learn from best coaches and share information
- prepare for win
- youth programme and race specific training are the keys
Norimasa Hirai (Kosuke Kitajima's coach)
- 12 years training with Kitajima
- worked on technique to minimize stroke count (from 46 strokes in 100m in 2000 to 36 strokes in 2008)
- focus on stream line, head down, timing of the kick to minimize resistance
- altitude training: 3-4 times per year (more than 20 times over 9 years)
- worked hard to go the half step ahead of the athletes
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I was fortunate to be a part of a team as a Physiologist to support a Singapore swimmer Tao Li and the coach Peter Churchill. Peter also presented Tao Li's preparation to Beijing Olympics at the conference:
- created a "Team Tao Li" to have a support system with sports scientists
- used a re-breathing device to simulate altitude training
- used bright light exposure to cope with morning finals
- used daily log and RESTQ (recovery stress questionnaire) to closely monitor swimmers
- established a reference point for next major meets.
