60x25's Accountability Set

Today the 10 and under Blue and Gold swimmers did 60x25's free on 1:00. The set was explained as an accountability set. We were focused on 4 super-important but often forgotten practice MUST-HAVES. The kids were to do the following off of every wall in order to complete the set. This was a team effort and any mistakes were counted as extra 25's and added in at the end.  Each child was held accountable for their mistakes and was expected to learn from their mistakes along the way.

1. Leave the wall from an exit (ready position). Basically, this is the second part of an open turn: They have one hand and both feet on the wall. They have the other hand dropped at the side or pointed towards the other side of the pool. Once they need to leave the wall they "exit" underwater with the hand cutting behind the head into the streamline. When they have submerged and are tight into their streamline they can push off on the side and begin the dolphin kicks.
2. Streamline TIGHT!. You might be surprised at how many sloppy streamlines little kids can do...Even the fast ones.
3.  5 dolphin kicks minimum.  This will get the kids past the flags and ahead of their competition.  Practice what you want to do in a race.  If my kids practice 1-3 dolphin kicks at workouts, they will do less in a meet.  5 is reasonable, especially in a set that gives them so much rest and time to reset.  Some did the minimum 5 while others worked on speed and distance going 7-10 with maximum effort.
4.  Hold your breath for three strokes out of the breakout.  This is the one discipline that my kids have the hardest time with.  They want air...They don't need air.  But all human beings need commitment and dedication to a specific goal in order to give up something that is so fundamental and free.

We started off a little sloppy at first but once the kids knew we were serious and holding them 100% accountable they jumped on board and set their focus on our goal.  We only added 10 extra 25's by the end of the first 60.  Unfortunately the kids pretty much checked out after that and we added another 8 to the last 10.  With a little hollering and, again, holding the kids 100% accountable, they finally pulled it together and finished off strong.  If you want to see your kids doing the good things at meets that are important and lead to BETTER swimming, then you need to practice, practice, practice the good habits.  The more the good habits are practiced the better the chances you will see it when it really counts.