Going for Gold

You know what’s been so fun to watch during the Olympics besides watching the best athletes around the world compete?  It’s been moving to watch the people who provide the support for these athletes.  Who doesn’t love Debbie Phelps’ expressions during and after Michael’s swims?  What about Gabby Douglas’ Mom, Natalie Hawkins, and her Host Mom, Missy Parton – how proud are they?  How about the coaches for USA’s 3m synchronized dive team of Troy Dumais and Kristian Ipsen?  They were so excited, and I’ll admit that it’s good to know that they even believe in little superstitions.  (For those of you who missed it, when the duo completed one dive particularly well, one coach turned to another and told him to keep crossing his legs the same way for the next dive. Every little bit helps, right?)

 

Even with these reactions and the many more that have touched those of us watching the Olympics, I have to admit that my favorite one thus far came from Missy Franklin’s coach Todd Schmitz.  The look on his face after she set the world record in the 200 backstroke just said it all.  All of the countless hours spent in the pool together since Franklin was seven years old have definitely paid off for them.

 

While listening to the announcers during this race, it was interesting that they said Schmitz is the only coach Franklin’s ever had.  While some athletes and their families would choose to move so their swimmer could train with a “proven” coach (e.g. Bob Bowman or Greg Troy), the Franklin family chose to keep their daughter with the coach who had developed her into the phenom that she is today.  While I don’t know about you, but for all of those coaches who coach rec or club teams, even those who coach in small schools or communities, this is exciting!

 

After reading an article about Schmitz I found that his path to coaching is one in which many of us can relate.  While he was an athlete he would take notes of practices and ask his coaches to explain their thinking behind each one.  Then after working several jobs, he decided to go back to the place he loved – the pool.  He also loved working with young swimmers so much that he gave up corporate success to coach full time, even though he worked for a club that had no pool of their own.  (From what I understand, they still don’t have one.)

 

Another thing that interests me about Schmitz is that he is a proponent of keeping things in perspective.  In a time when young athletes are often pushed to work harder and train longer for sports, he believes in having fun and enjoying what you’re doing.  He likes to reward his athletes for their hard work in the pool by using games and other fun methods to help them train.  He also realizes it’s important to build a well-rounded athlete – one that also keeps a balanced life outside of the pool.

 

I know that I am a coach who believes in this type of coaching, and it’s exciting to see someone with this mantra see great success.  Who knows – maybe more youth coaches will start taking note.  There’s a chance this kind of training could gain some traction, after all – it’s hard to disregard Franklin’s success, her obvious love for swimming, and her excitement about her future, both in and out of the pool.

 

So, I hope you enjoy the second half of the Olympics; I know I will.  Enjoy the stellar performances and the exciting moments of the games.  Just do me one favor, remember these things and use it to motivate you while coaching your own athletes.  Even though we may not all be coaches of Olympians, we can each be gold medal examples of how hard work, dedication, drive, and perspective can work to produce great results.

 

 

Reference:

How Not to Ruin a Swimming Prodigy Retrieved from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303674004577434550791785644.html