Coaching with Integrity and Compassion

I must apologize for not yet posting the blog post (or much of anything) I previewed about a month ago. My coaching status was up in the air during the spring and part of the summer due to coronavirus. Thankfully, while things are still crazy due to coronavirus I am happy that my coaching is continuing. Being in a better place I will get back to finishing my blog post about my thoughts on the impacts of coronavirus on swimmers and coaches, including their families. I will also get back to sharing more content more regularly.

While listening to the Swim Coaches Base podcast by RITTER Sports Performance recently, I was struck by a comment from his guest. They were discussing how to build a team from scratch. I don’t remember the exact quote, but the idea was this coach did not believe in going after transfers, especially of older kids (I think he meant 13 and older), to build a team. The idea was more to build from younger, new to competitive swimming kids. They accepted older transfers, but it sounded like they would almost have to interview to explain why they were wanting to change teams. I absolutely love the belief in building a team from the youngest swimmers and ones who are new to the sport. Building your culture is usually much easier this way and you are not growing at the expense of other teams. It was refreshing to me hearing this.

Fun fact: Can anyone find me in either of the team pictures as these are both team pictures from my age group swimming days?