Product Description

This volume provides a roadmap for coaches and swimmers who want to follow a systematic and proven way to record-breaking times. It begins with Sweetenham's five golden rules for swimming that apply to all swimmers and is then divided into: techniques, drills and sets; and workouts and programmes.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #72485 in Books
• Published on: 2003-09-29
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 312 pages

Customer Reviews

Comprehensive and Very Useful
I have only just got this book, so obviously haven't read it cover to cover quite yet, but after a few hours browsing it certainly appears to include virtually every aspect of the sport that a serious competitive swimmer would hope for.

The book seems to have the right balance of text, diagrams, photo's and charts, that acheive virtual instant understanding of the concepts/ideas being put forward.

The way it is written also appears to allow you to take your own choice as to what you feel is most relevant for your training program, rather than some books I have read that really do come over as very narrow minded and far too specific.

All in all, a very comprehensive, easy to read and understand book that should prove a great asset in most swimmers long term program. If nothing else, it will be a very interesting read as an insight into the thoughts of top coaches.

Good ideas and workouts but not the greatest on the science
I brought this book over a year ago when i first started to get into coaching. I'm currently studying sports performance coaching at uni and a lot of the science written about is very vague. The energy systems are condenced to one paragraph each and that isn't enough.
Also the chapter on macro meso and micro cycles are poor. There is nothing written about regeneration other than the taper.
But if your looking for some brilliant drills and ideas for work outs then buy it for that.

so overall good if you know your science and are just looking for swimming ideas but if your new to the science of swimming read swimming fastest first then buy this.

Interesting Read
This is an easy book to read, easy to pick up and put down when needed. you don't feel like you have to read every single page to understand whats going on. From a coaching point of view most of the chapters are very well written on test sets, strokes etc. The planning section is bit more vague than i thought, but still worthwhile and thoughtful. (Depends what you need out of the planning section). Overall a very good addition to a coaches reading list, and balances out some of the more technical books! A worthwhile investment. (PS this is a big book - not small and compact!).
CC