FCST Newsletter - July 17

What is the importance of taking a break/ resting the body?

                Here at First Colony Swim Team we create opportunity to merge passion and commitment with expertise resulting in the highest level of personal performance. At the same time, we are conscious and planning for the long-term development of the student-athlete. As we head into the last half of our championship meets we, as coaches, would like to take the time and explain why it is important for your student-athlete to take a break away from the pool during the month of August. Taking a break is especially important in year-long sport such as, swimming due to the many hours of practice, long meet weekends, and constant focus on swimming technique.

·        Growth spurt: Because the student-athletes are not swimming and instead are resting, their bodies can spend energy on growing. Instead of recovering for the next practice; in the past, we have seen many swimmers come back taller from the break.

·        Mental break: Our swimmers spend a lot of mental energy on correct swimming technique and executing proper training. Therefore, it is important to take a mental break from competitive swimming so that the swimmers come back refreshed and excited for the upcoming season. 

·        Adjusting to a new school grade:  The short course season starts after Labor Day weekend. Meaning student-athletes have the time to adjust to a new school or even a new grade without the added pressure of performing well at practice.

·        Rebuilding swimming strokes: Due to the extended break, swimmers will lose, what we as coaches like to call, the “feeling of the water.” It is important to lose that feeling during the break; it is like pressing a reset button on swimming technique. Allowing for the reset enables the team to (re)build proper stroke technique and implement productive swimming habits.

 

·        Experience something new: Most importantly it is important to experience something different during the usual hours of practice. Go to a museum as a family, enjoy making and eating dinner as a family, allow for the swimmers to organize a game at the park, or any activity you have been wanting to do, but couldn’t because of swim practice!