Bill Sweetenham's influence

[lincoln]

How much have teachers and coaches in the UK been influenced so far by Bill Sweetenham's teaching methods? How much effort are they making to try and discover what it is that makes this guy tick? From what I have seen and heard from him so far I am impressed, but he needs to be cloned and sent out to all grassroots clubs along with the money to build pools/buy pooltime etc. I've tried some of his ideas on my young swimmers and they have found them fun to do. What does anyone else think?

[lane4]

I know a lot of coaches (myself included) who have been positively influenced by Sweetenham in some way. He has given more direction to and information about the GB swimming programme and what needs to be done for improvements to be made. He has also influenced coaching through his video series, speaking to coaches, challenging them and motivating them. He has made a lot of coaches think a lot more about what they do and why they do it. However, some believe he has not yet fully explained or justified some of his beliefs and philosophies. For example, what are the principles behind his philosophy of 12 competitions a year for 12 years, 13 for 13 year olds and so on. Why is 20 meets a year wrong for a 14 year old if they are training 50km per week? And why is 2000km volume per year for boys and 2400km volume per year for girls the right amount? Why not 1500, 2500, 3000km? People are not saying he is wrong but are asking why and what are the principles behind it? Are they just numbers picked out of the sky or do they have scientific research behind them or are they based on Bill's belief that these are right as they worked for him as a coach? Some also think he keeps going back on his word such as in the Foster getting to swim 50 free at World's case or his statement that the GB programme is all or nothing but then letting some swimmers pick and choose what meets they attend with GB.
There would seem to be no doubt that he has definitely helped GB swimming and a lot of coaches since he became involved but that he still has plenty to do to convince everyone that we are on the path to success.

[mammamedley]

So, tell us coaches! How is it going? Have things changed? What changes have you made to your workouts? Have they worked so far? How are you getting the directions from 'Sweetybum'? How have the swimmers reacted? How have the parents reacted?

[James S]

For one, I hear how Bill Sweetenham wants GB swimmers to train and compete. I never heard the plan for all GB clubs before so for that, I think highly of the direct, open approach. At least, whether we are all doing the same or not, we know what is supposed to be expected of us and for some of us less experienced, we have advice/rules/direction to choose to follow or not. I think it has also opened up more discussion between coaches than before (that may simply be that I am speaking to different people - and of course logging on to this site :D) which has certainly increased my confidence as a coach.

I have introduced many of his thoughts to the way I approach my training and my swimmers have responded surprisingly well to it. (I say surprising as I remember some of the swimmers before their attitudes and performances changed :devil: ) Larger volumes, higher intensity, fewer competitions etc. - makes sense and makes me laugh at some of my old sessions.

I may not choose to introduce every thinking of Mr Sweetenham to my club programme but we'll see. I like the thought that someone is giving some national direction. Whether it is the perfect direction or not, I don't have the knowledge to say. I do not intend to become a trained monkey to his word but it makes me think more about what I am doing which in turn makes me ask more or search more so I then learn more.

James :p

[Pete]

At real ground roots level I have not been made aware of anything. I have gone out of my way to find out but apart from his methods on Oz sites nothing gets through to a small club with part-time coaches who do not have time and finance to travel to places like Birmingham for hour and a half seminars. Someone needs to get out on the road and contact the small clubs where a lot of the talent emerges from. We pay huge amounts to the ASA in registration and get nothing back. For our feedback on Swim 21 we are expected to go to Birmingham. If Sweetenham wants co-operation he needs to get around and help everyone not just the centres or excellence.

[lincoln]

I agree that we get little back from the ASA - they (and Bill) are good at directing the traffic and then just expect us to get on with the driving! If we are to succeed as a nation we (yes, the small grass roots clubs as well as the elite) need to know what is going on elsewhere and what everyone else is doing (at least we have this forum). The 21st Century Swimming videos (available for rental via the ISTC) are good - Australian videos presented by Bill that provide the teaching and coaching technique that is beginning to filter in to swim clinics now, but there is no overall direction as to 'how to structure your coaching year', seasonal planning for age groupers, ideal endurance sets etc - we don't all have a Club Coach to guide us and there are so many conflicting ideas! The Swimming Times is not enough (are the ASA listening?). The ISTC are just as bad. We too have to go all the way to Birmingham for any of the halfway decent courses and seminars. The Active Sports programme is geared up for cities where they can pick and choose from talented swimmers - it alienates the more scattered and rural areas by setting standards that are too high without addressing the reasons why we can't meet these standards (lack of transport, lack of available pools etc).

Do they not realise there is life - and a lot of talent - outside the cities and major towns? The UK is small enough as a swimming nation and they are just making it smaller.

Our membership fees should be linked to our postcode!

Do the ASA/ISTC get to read these messages?

OK, I'm off my soapbox now.

[Julia]

I am listening and reading your suggestions. Here in the south, I have organised many seminars, about 5 per year. I also have only asked top Coaches and Tutors to speak. These include Archie Brew and Paddy Garrett who are very pro 'Uncle Bill'. Many coaches from the smaller clubs have attended and found it very worth while. It may be easier for you to come to Hampshire than Birmingham. Also as a member of the ASA Education Committee, I can forward your comments at forthcoming meetings.

[Pete]

Julia
Thank-you for your input. Who and how do you inform people of these seminars? Being a very busy overworked teacher and then part-time coach, racing around trying to find out about these things is difficult. Are clubs contacted and coaches not informed by their club secretaries or they by invitation?
It still does not answer why my club has to travel to Birmingham from Surrey for 45 mins feedback on Swim 21. ( I know this is not part of the original post but it would be helpful to know)
Glad to know reps from the ASA read this forum.