Focused (or Deliberate) Practice to Accelerate Skill-Learning in Swimming Rod Havriluk, Ph.D. Swimming Technology Research
Traditional Focused (Deliberate) Type of Practice
Benefits for Coach Need Characteristics Focused/Deliberate Practice
Professional - Swimmer progress Social Environment - Retain swimmers Financial - New swimmers Benefits for Coach
Technique Improvement
Focus on Streamline Cues
Streamline
Streamline Cues 1.One hand on top of the other 2.Elbows locked 3.Upper arms squeezing ears 4.Looking straight down 5.Legs straight 6.Toes pointed 7.Feet together
Practice Effect
Deliberate Practice Effect Jefferies, et al 2012
Progress Issues Physiology - Quality vs Quantity
Energy System Contributions
Progress Issues Physiology - Quality vs Quantity Skill-learning - Reinforce limitations Anatomy - Injury potential
Shoulder Anatomy
Ineffective Arm Entry
Time of Exposure
Ineffective Entry
Time of Exposure
Physiology - Quality vs Quantity Skill-learning - Reinforce limitations Anatomy - Injury potential Progress Issues
Deliberate Practice Clear instructions Appropriate task difficulty Sufficient number of repetitions Immediate feedback Individualized supervision Variety of learning strategies Stay in cognitive and associative stages Replicate superior performance
Clear Instructions - Model
Clear Instructions - Cues KINESTHETIC VISUAL
Clear Instructions - Images
Clear Instructions - Guidance
Breaststroke Kick
Deliberate Practice Clear instructions Appropriate task difficulty
Appropriate Task Difficulty Course Distance Stroke Rate Breathing Frequency
Appropriate Task Difficulty Age (yrs)Course Distance (m)
Appropriate Task Difficulty Slow Stroke Rate for Complex Skill FL, BK, FR - Slow, Continuous Hand Motion BR - Interrupted Stroke Rate
Interrupted Stroke Rate
Nonbreathing
Breathing Frequency Nonbreathing Minimal breathing Breathing every other stroke cycle
Appropriate Task Difficulty Course Distance Stroke Rate Breathing Frequency Fatigue & Recovery Comfort & Attention
Rest Between Reps Long enough – to recover to avoid fatigue Short enough – to maintain attention to stay warm
Skill Isolation Drills Swim Drills Deck Drills
Breaststroke Arm Drill
Butterfly Arm Drill
Deck Drills Relay Take-off Arm Swing Wall Push-ups Breaststroke Kick on Deck
Wall Push-Ups
Breaststroke Kick
Cue-Focused Practice KINESTHETIC VISUAL
Cues for Key Positions
Synchronized Cues
Deliberate Practice Clear instructions Appropriate task difficulty Sufficient number of repetitions
Stroke Repetitions Sufficient Number Effective Technique Develop Permanency
Deliberate Practice Clear instructions Appropriate task difficulty Sufficient number of repetitions Immediate feedback
Immediate Feedback Group Individual
Deliberate Practice Clear instructions Appropriate task difficulty Sufficient number of repetitions Immediate feedback Individualized supervision
Individualized Supervision Reminders before swims Feedback after swims Frequent coach-swimmer dialog
Deliberate Practice Clear instructions Appropriate task difficulty Sufficient number of repetitions Immediate feedback Individualized supervision Variety of learning strategies
Variety of Strategies Poolside instruction & analysis Classroom instruction & analysis
Classroom & Pool Classroom Instruction Pool Instruction Pool Testing Classroom Analysis
Variety of Strategies Poolside instruction & analysis Classroom instruction & analysis Swims and drills that isolate focus Practice with mirrors
Practice with Mirrors
Variety of Strategies Poolside instruction & analysis Classroom instruction & analysis Swims and drills that isolate focus Practice with mirrors Simulated swimming motions Quantitative analysis
Quantitative Analysis
Wasted Motion
Effective Motion
Deliberate Practice Clear instructions Appropriate task difficulty Sufficient number of repetitions Immediate feedback Individualized supervision Variety of learning strategies Stay in cognitive and associative stages
Learning Stages 1. Cognitive 2. Associative 3. Autonomous
Maintain Focus Reminders before swim Questions after swim Dialog about perception
Deliberate Practice Clear instructions Appropriate task difficulty Sufficient number of repetitions Immediate feedback Individualized supervision Variety of learning strategies Stay in cognitive and associative stages Replicate superior performance
Freestyle Arm Synchronization Gaps in Propulsion = Negative IdC (Catch-Up Stroke) Overlaps in Propulsion = Positive IdC (Superposition)
Gaps & Overlaps in Propulsion
Freestyle Arm Synchronization Gaps in Propulsion = Negative IdC (Catch-Up Stroke) Seifert, 2010 Overlaps in Propulsion = Positive IdC (Superposition) When expert swimmers increase their speed... only the superposition mode is observed.
Deliberate Practice Clear instructions Appropriate task difficulty Sufficient number of repetitions Immediate feedback Individualized supervision Variety of learning strategies Stay in cognitive and associative stages Replicate superior performance
Total Involvement Coach Strategies Team Investments Swimmer Habits
Benefits Need Characteristics Summary
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