Coaching

BECOME A CLUB COACH

By 2024 all coaches will need to be qualified. Make sure your club has a qualified coach on deck. Find out how: https://mastersswimming.org.au/become-a-club-coach/

COACH RENEWAL

Don’t let your MSA Club Coach Accreditation lapse!  Your club needs you!

It is easy to reaccredit online https://mastersswimming.org.au/become-a-club-coach/ and click on the reaccreditation link. Please start to keep a record any coach PD for your renewal.

MSA COACH ONLINE MEETINGS run by Rob Wilson (MSA National Coaching Education Coordinator) are planned to be held regularly in 2023. Attendance = 1 PD point for renewal.

WORKSHOPS

MSNSW Coaching is available to run a workshop for your club. If you are interested, please contact Anne anneswims2@gmail.com or MSNSW Admin. admin@mastersswimmingnsw.org.au

UPCOMING EVENTS

Date	Event	Location	Details
June 24-25	NSW Weekend Escape	Batemans Bay	MSNSW are holding a weekend away; a Stroke Workshop will be held on Saturday afternoon
Date TBC	Freestyle Workshop	Sydney	Improving Freestyle. A practical Freestyle workshop with swimmers, coaches observing and learning as part of PD.
Date TBC	Breaststroke Workshop	Sydney	Improving Breaststroke. A Breaststroke workshop (theory and practical) for swimmers and coaches (observing and learning as part of PD)

Anne Smyth

MSNSW Branch Coaching Director

    Writing an annual training plan
Check out tips on writing an annual plan using the terminology from MSA Club Coach Course.  Tuggeranong Masters Plan (long version and summary) is included for you to adapt for your own club’s use.

Coach wanted for Pirates (Sunday morning /Tuesday night). Contact Jane Noake jnoake@ozemail.com.au if you can help out here.

Coaching Corner:  Stroke Rate

Many swimmers may have found their stroke rate has dropped due to inconsistent swimming, lack of fitness and age. It is easy for stroke rate to slow without the swimmer being aware of this.

In training sessions recently, we measured our swimmers’ stroke rates and were quite shocked to see the results. Most swimmers’ stroke rates had dropped since pre-COVID. We then swam some sets focusing on increasing stroke rates using Tempo Trainers (Mode 3). For those without a Tempo Trainer, they focused on increasing stroke rate and their rate was measured during set using stopwatch. Even a slight increase in stroke rate can make a difference to efficiency and time. As fitness improves, swimmers should find it easier to stroke at a higher rate.

It was interesting to note in the session that, even after short intervention, many swimmers’ strokes looked sharper and more efficient after increasing stroke rate.

Coach Tips:

• to find stroke rate using stopwatch: Stroke Rate Mode “00”: observe a swimmer – press start as hand enters the water count 1, on 4^thstroke count 4 and press stop. The number is the stroke rate.
• Ramp test: Used to find optimal stroke rate.  Swim a set of 50s increasing stroke rate each 50, starting at a rate below usual rate. What is the point where fastest speed is achieved without comprising stroke? This is optimal stroke rate.

Some facts about Stroke Rate:

• Average Stroke Rate is around 60 -65.
• Stroke rate can drop off with age and fitness.
• Stroke Rate is very individual and depends on swimmer’s body: height and arm span.
• Some interesting elite stroke rates:

Happy Swimming!

Anne Smyth    (MSNSW Branch Coaching Director)

Regards,

Anne Smyth, MSNSW Branch Coaching Director

Stroke Workshops

Masters Coaches are available to visit your club and offer their expertise in stroke correction. To avail yourselves of this opportunity, contact the branch office.

Masters Coach membership
If you are Masters Coach but not a member, you are eligible to become part of our Masters Swimming Community for only $10 under the banner of Coach, Technical official or Volunteer membership. Go to https://mastersswimming.org.au/about/membership/ and click on the  “Non-Swimming Members” tab for more information.

Relay Meet – a great way to encourage new swimmers to compete
It is often difficult to engage older swimmers in competing. Over the past few years The relay meet is an excellent opportunity to introduce first time swimmers to competition. It is a lot of fun, there is no pressure and it is all about team spirit and camaraderie. A members story:
At this year’s relay meet, Donna swam for her club. She is in her 50’s, joined Masters this year and has never competed previously. She loved it and I think this will spur her on to enter more. Her elderly mother, who came to watch, was so impressed that she too is going to join a Masters club in Sydney and has just bought her first pair of goggles!  So keep it in mind for next year to use the relay meet as an excellent starting point to competition – it embraces what Masters is about: fun, friendship and fitness.

Coaches are required to update every four years
To do so you need to complete the Club Coach Updating form and the Coaching Code of Behaviour form and submit with your current CPR certificate to: coachdirector@mastersswimmingnsw.org.au
Download these forms at https://mastersswimming.org.au/Coaching/Coaching-Accreditation-Forms

Coaches are also encouraged to undertake courses offered by NSW Office of Sport such as Mentoring< other coaches, or to consider becoming a Presenter and Assessor and assist in the conduct of future Club Coach courses.