Training Tip – Focus with Self Talk

Getting better at swimming requires improvements in stroke technique, such as head position, arm movement and timing, kicking, rotation, etc. Making changes to current muscle memory is difficult and takes hundreds of repetitions of new movement patterns to break old, inefficient techniques. Additionally, the old movement patterns “fight” to retain the old ways. Intense concentration and focus are needed to move the body parts to new, more efficient positions. One method to increase focus while swimming is self-talk. Continuously repeating phrases such as “look down” or “pause front” can keep the brain from wandering to other things, like getting a breath or even just making it to the other side of the pool. Self-talk is one of the many skills we teach in our Private Swim Lessons and our Swim 101 class.