“Drills, drills, drills! I like drills!”
A Q&A Session for the Mission Viejo Nadadores Coaching Staff
Hosted by Bryan Dedeaux
• What is a drill?
Isolated or full body movements that, through repetition, create habits. (At least, that is how I define it.)
-A drill done right will help improve biomechanics and lead to good technical habits that a swimmer can use to maximize their efficiency in the water.
-A drill done wrong can sabotage progress and create habits that lead to poor technique and unsafe, inefficient swimming.
• What kinds of drills are there?
There are many different types of drills for all four strokes, turns, and skills. You can break them up into categories that are essential to teach age group swimmers:
1. Body position
2. Propulsion
3. Recovery
4. Breathing mechanics
5. Timing
6. Agility Skills (Starts, turns, finishes, etc…)
• Why do drills?
Drills make it easier for swimmers to repeat CORRECT actions when the athlete is in the process of learning or is fatigued during a workout. Athletes must learn by doing skills correctly or they are just practicing mistakes.
• When do you do drills?
It is important to be organized and well prepared and our athletes should follow a purposeful progression throughout a season and career. With a well thought out season plan and focused workouts, drills can be done at any point in a practice or season that adds value to the athlete.
• How do I pick the right drill for my swimmers?
First, you have to understand the purpose behind each drill so you can appropriately teach the specific skills that will be practiced. Then determine why you are choosing to do a drill at that specific time in your workout. Drills can be done to teach a new skill, fix a stroke problem, or simply reinforce good habits that have already been established. Once you have figured out why you are putting a drill into your workout, you can decide which drill will best fit your needs.
• Does good drilling lead to good swimming
It can! But it doesn’t always. The best way to increase the chances that your drills will lead to better swimming is to focus on three things:
1. Repetition – Again, repeating the CORRECT movements or actions within the workout (practice sets), the cycle (three weeks or more), and the season (going back to specified drills when necessary).
2. Feedback – When giving a set of drilling, a coach must be on his/her toes at all times and keep a watchful eye on the swimmers. Meaningful feedback is essential for progress. Use positive or negative feedback to induce the desired change that you are looking for.
3. Application – Give the kids a chance to apply what they have learned into actual swimming. We don’t do drills to get good at drills. We do drills to get good at swimming.
What is your question?
