Swimming World Presents Technique Misconceptions: Natural Talent

Swimming Technique Misconceptions: Natural Talent

Many people believe that it is worth copying the technique of the fastest swimmers. In reality, even the fastest swimmers have technique limitations, but they offset them with strength and conditioning. The purpose of this series of articles is to address scientifically the technique misconceptions that have become “conventional wisdom,” and to present options that are more effective.

This month’s article was inspired by a chapter in the recently published book, “Peak,” by Dr. Anders Ericsson, who developed the “deliberate practice” concept. His chapter on natural talent addresses the misconception that some individuals excel because of natural talent. Instead, Ericsson explains that:

Exceptional performance is the result of practice;
An initial advantage (often identified as natural talent) is usually due to intelligence or age relative to peers; and
There is a dark side to even believing in natural talent.

Dr. Rod Havriluk is a sports scientist and consultant who specializes in swimming technique instruction and analysis. His unique strategies provide rapid improvement while avoiding injury. Learn more at the STR website, or contact Rod through info@swimmingtechnology.com.

To read more about Havriluk’s take on natural talent check out the November issue of Swimming World Magazine, available now!

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Take A Video Tour Of The Current Issue Of Swimming World Magazine…
FEATURES

013 THE FUTURE OF WADA: NEVER BITE THE HAND THAT FEEDS YOU
by Chuck Warner
This adage seems to be a good theme to keep in mind while trying to resolve the tangled web of keeping swimming drug-free.

016 2016 OPEN WATER SWIMMERS OF THE YEAR
by Annie Grevers
Sharon van Rouwendaal and Ferry Weertman of the Netherlands were named Swimming World’s 2016 Female and Male Open Water Swimmers of the Year.

open-water-fans-crowd-beach-rio
019 MEMORABLE OPEN WATER HIGHLIGHTS OF 2016
by David Rieder

Photo Courtesy: Steve Munatones / The Daily News of Open Water Swimming
022 A PICTURE-PERFECT START AND A PHOTO FINISH
by Rob Davis
It was a perfect day for the RCP Tiburon Mile in the San Francisco Bay, with the race ending in a photo finish to determine the women’s champion.

029 SUCCESS IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY
by Annie Grevers and David Rieder
Jessica Long and Brad Snyder share their inspiring stories about the challenges they’ve had to overcome in becoming successful Paralympians.

034 NUTRITION: AROUND THE TABLE WITH KATIE MEILI
by Annie Grevers and Tasija Korosas

COACHING
010 LESSONS WITH THE LEGENDS: DAVE ROBERTSON
by Michael J. Stott

014 SWIMMING TECHNIQUE MISCONCEPTIONS: NATURAL TALENT
by Rod Havriluk
A common misconception is that some individuals excel because of natural talent. Rather, exceptional performance is the result of practice.

036 BACKSTROKE BASICS
by Michael J. Stott
Three well-known American backstrokers (past and present)—Rachel Bootsma, Nick Thoman and Aaron Peirsol—share their thoughts on how to swim the 100 and 200 back.

038 SPECIAL SETS: GETTING READY FOR THOSE BIG DECEMBER MEETS
by Michael J. Stott
This month’s “Special Sets” feature profiles two 16-year-old girls—Cassidy Bayer and Ruby Martin.

043 Q&A WITH COACH TODD MARSH
by Michael J. Stott

044 HOW THEY TRAIN ABBEY ERWIN & THOMAS ROARK
by Michael J. Stott

TRAINING
033 DRYSIDE TRAINING: MULTI-MOVEMENT FUNCTIONAL STRENGTH
by J.R. Rosania

JUNIOR SWIMMER
040 GOLDMINDS: SPEED IS EVERYTHING!
by Wayne Goldsmith
Here are the 10 “B.E.S.T.” scorching, super-speed development sets for every swimmer!

046 UP & COMERS
by Taylor Brien

COLUMNS & SPECIAL SECTIONS
008 A VOICE FOR THE SPORT
024 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
047 GUTTER TALK
048 PARTING SHOT

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Neil Morgan

7 years ago

If there was no such thing as natural talent then it would also be possible to train any swimmer to become the new Michael Phelps, as long as they were willing to put the work in. Go and pick a swimmer based on attitude/work ethic alone and see how you get on.

Veeboy Daniels

7 years ago

Reply to Neil Morgan

am a South African boy who is very passionate about swimming please contact me at 0619507522, am 18 years old and willing to put on the work. PLEASE #fortheloveof_SWIMMING

Rod Havriluk

7 years ago

Reply to Veeboy Daniels

Veeboy,
Check this out:
https://swimmingtechnology.com/product/speedweek-in-miami-on-dec-27-31-deposit-395/

Tyler Yates

7 years ago

Reply to Neil Morgan

One of Michael
Phelps’ biggest “talents” is his work ethic. I can guarantee you that less than 1% of swimmers have done as much work as he has. Effort makes the biggest difference by far.

Neil Morgan

7 years ago

Reply to Neil Morgan

I agree that Michael Phelps must work extremely hard, but there’s no doubt that he has an immense amount of natural talent too. His body, from the size of his hands and feet, to his height, torso length etc. are all talents. If he had grown up to be 5’8″ with small hands and feet, we may have never heard of him. He may have used his work ethic to become a really good swimmer, but the lack of physical talents would have held him back.

Gary

7 years ago

Reply to Neil Morgan

If Phelps had small hands and feet, it’s guaranteed we would have never heard of him as a swimmer. There are so many physiological factors that have to be aligned to have a chance of being at or near the top that it’s ridiculous. Take the average or first person you see on the street – what chance did they have? There is so much nonsense about how any person can do anything they want (example: be a master pianist). Right, be a great singer too while you’re all at it. It used to be that what seperated Lance Armstrong was his work ethic. That was BS for plenty of reasons. Lots of people will do anything to win. Lots of people are trying. Lots of people are not lucky and lots of people never had a chance. Some people have diseases and other abnormalities that are as yet undetetected.

I am *NOT* shortchanging all the non-genetic factors like hard work and proper training and technique and mental fortitude and …

Even if one is capable, and they throw it away with drugs and degenerate behavior, the chances they have at coming back to win it all again, do ALSO depend on lucky genes and always too often plain dumb luck.

Jim Griffin

7 years ago

Read “The Sports Gene” if you haven’t already . Sheds a lot of light on this dispute between nature and nurture. Well worth the time to read and understand this book.

Gary

7 years ago

Reply to Jim Griffin

Are there any succinct conclusions to be passed on? (I’m certain I that I will never read it.)