{"id":606401,"date":"2025-03-12T02:03:56","date_gmt":"2025-03-12T09:03:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=606401"},"modified":"2025-03-12T09:04:46","modified_gmt":"2025-03-12T16:04:46","slug":"the-four-pillars-of-teaching-fast-swimming-to-everyone-starting-with-tempo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/the-four-pillars-of-teaching-fast-swimming-to-everyone-starting-with-tempo\/","title":{"rendered":"The Four Pillars of Teaching Fast Swimming to Everyone – Starting with Tempo"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Four Pillars of Teaching Fast Swimming to Everyone\u2014Starting with Tempo<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/b>Glenn Mills – Co-Founder of <\/b>GoSwim.tv<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Teaching fast swimming is a complex challenge, requiring an individualized approach for every athlete. No two swimmers are alike, so coaching methods should be adaptable rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.<\/span><\/p>\n

To simplify the process of teaching competitive swimming, we break it down into four fundamental pillars:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Tempo<\/b> \u2013 The rate at which a swimmer completes a stroke cycle (two \u201chand hits\u201d).<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Distance Per Cycle (DPC)<\/b> \u2013 How far a swimmer travels with each stroke cycle.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Breakout Distance<\/b> \u2013 How far from the wall a swimmer starts swimming after a turn or start.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Underwater Velocity<\/b> \u2013 The speed at which a swimmer moves underwater.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    By focusing on these four pillars, you streamline the teaching process and equip swimmers with the tools they need to reach their goals\u2014whatever they may be.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Why Tempo Is Key<\/b><\/h3>\n

    When coaching young swimmers, it\u2019s essential to provide measurable and consistent targets. One example of a very measurable target is the swimmer\u2019s <\/span>breakout point<\/b>.\u00a0 If the goal is to break out a certain distance past the flags, that goal is visible to the swimmer (and coach) and will help them develop better streamlines, push-offs, and underwaters.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Holding a certain<\/span> stroke rate \u2013 or tempo \u2013<\/b> is another<\/span> measurable and consistent target for improving performance.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Think about how a swimmer usually chooses to go faster:<\/span><\/p>\n