April 30, 2007

We will have the first competition of the long course season this weekend at GMU Manassas. Great stroke technique and race splitting will be our focus. Please be on deck early for stretching and meeting time.

Next swim meet on the calendar June 1-3 so be on the lookout for the meet sign up book.

For your consideration: Attendance.

Attendance is the most important aspect of learning. If it were not so important to the learning /development process then explain why the school systems require students to be in class.

If a student is absent X number of classes make up may be required be in the form of a test, extra work assigned or detention. Failure may occur if X+ numbers of classes are skipped.

Why would the school system be so concerned about attendance? Simply put, one can not learn if they are not there. Just good common sense wouldn't you agree?

Do your parents demand that you attend school or allow you to skip when you desire?

Why not apply the same thought process to your chosen sport?

How about swimming?

Oh, the weather is so nice right now. My friends want me to go to the park instead of watching me go off to swimming. Got to work on my tan! I have to go out to dinner. I have to ..... you get the picture. Just about anything except to honor your commitment to your chosen sport. Why should your swimming be any different than school?

Showing up is a good first step. Show up and be attentive goes a long way further down the success path. Show up, be attentive and work diligently towards your goals is the best way to reach your stated goals.

Your goals should drive your commitment.  Your commitment should drive your effort.  Your effort WILL determine your level of confidence.  Your confidence WILL determine your performance.

For many of you the long course season will be a break through time in your swimming career. For those rising high school seniors an important time to show college coaches that you are improving. The best way that you can improve is to show up for practice on a regular basis.

With that said many in the group are doing well, making technical changes and building the volume on a progression towards mid season totals. Athletes that hit and miss practice are more apt to have injures pop up. Keep your goals in mind when you decide to miss a training session.

The journey continues.   

See you at practice.