ASCA World Clinic 2001 Summary

Physiology School Notes

Stroke School Notes

Rick Curl Notes

Vern Gambetta Notes

Dick Jochums Notes

David Marsh Notes

Rob Mirande Notes

Eddie Reese Notes

Bill Sweetnam Notes

Rick Curl Notes

Rick is the coach of Tom Dolan, World Record holder for the 400IM. Interestingly, Tom is one of the few swimmers to break his own world record -- six years apart (1994 and 2000).

Rick's View of Tom's Critical Success Factors

• Tom liked to race always, raced at every single practice. Huge amounts of race pace work.
• Monster volume early in the season, very high load base periods.
• The taper always works -- if an athlete doesn't perform post-taper then it is in their head.
• Believes that single-minded focus is essential for elite performance. With every single thing in your life, you ask yourself, "Will this make me faster?" Total, single dedication and focus.
• Something special - twice daily -- they were swimming twice most days. In every single practice, they wanted to achieve something special.
• Science is a resource but an athlete must follow his heart. Training has to be mixed with passion and enthusiasm.
• Finish strong always! In training and in racing. Always train like you want to race.

I also enjoyed his observation that elite athletes are not "normal" people. Therefore, you can't really treat them normally.

While Tom did some huge volume, he took a total break from swimming every year for at least a month. It is also worth pointing out that the mega volume took years to build up to. In other words it was a gradual progression. Perhaps that is the secret -- training to train.

Like a number of the other world record holders, Tom did not do insane volume as a kid and was also involved in non-swimming sports.

Rick always made sure that Tom had racing opportunities as well as getting elite swimmers to come and swim with him -- the benefits of squads for elite athletes. [Note -- this is something that the Kiwis and Aussies understand but the Americans in triathlon appear to be missing]

Rick coached based on time in the pool and specific times/goals/intensities. They never really cared about yardage.

Lots of test sets and in season racing. Keeps the "pressure" on the athlete -- works for a certain type of athlete.

Listening to the huge volume and no backing off -- I found myself wondering why is swimming different? Why are these athletes able to push so hard without cracking? There are examples in other sports as well -- examples at the elite end of our own sport. Perhaps there is training that works for elites and then training for normal folks.

Rick is a big believer is squats for IM swimmers.