I have read numerous times about the benefits of improving swim ability by swimming with a masters group. I joined a masters group in the January (small group, 5 of us). I have improved, but the coach is happy to let me swim poorly and with few exceptions does not volunteer suggestions for improvement. If at the end of practice I ask him to watch me swim a lap and critique my stroke, he always has an improvement suggestion. I figure if I ask enough he will start volunteering suggestions-so far he hasn’t. Am I expecting too much? My feeling is the biggest benefit of a coached swim is someone watching you and offering feedback. Is my coach any different than yours? Thanks for feedback…Ken.
I think you can expect to improve by joining a Master’s group. If you aren’t improving enough, getting sufficient instruction, telling the coach what you are looking for may fix the problem. If not, get into another group.
If you have a really good masters program you may get some advice… My personal experience is, I don’t get any coaching… The occasional “you look good”, in which I’m saying to myself… “No I don’t, who are you kidding?”
My current Masters Session, the coaches are coaches… They get paid $70/hour for individual lesson’s an while they are encouraging and do offer a little advice they would much rather be in the water with you giving you instructions at $70/hour.
I think you have to remember that different people are expecting different things from a masters program. Some people want lots of feedback, others do not.
I know I can use a lot of improvement but my masters coach takes the long term view. He does not inundate me with lots of things to focus on. He designs workouts and gives advice to slowly and continuously improve swim efficiency. All the drill work, IM sets and occasional comments are improving my stroke. Although, I the end of an individual session I may not feel I 'learned" anything new. I also think I am getting more consistent improvement than another program that gave me lots of things to work on a new drill every time. Bottom line, If you want feedback, ask for it.
Lastly, I would also add that a good coach probably does not need to watch you swim a lap at the end of a work out. With five swimmers in your group I bet he can tell you the strengths and weaknesses of each swimmer. Just ask what you should be focusing on at the beginning or end of the session.
Thanks to all for your good advice. I’ll continue to ask for feedback.
The other question I would ask what kind of Masters team is it? For example, I belong to two masters teams, one I pay for, the other is free to anyone that belongs to the ‘Y’. The team I pay for has several excellent coaches that spend a lot of time with each of the swimmers - giving feedback and suggestions. This team also has a lot of drills and stoke improvement ‘parts’ of the swim.
The team that is free is more of just an organized work out. The ‘coach’ is a kid that works at the ‘Y’. He puts together a practice - but that’s about it.
If your looking for more instruction - you may need to look for a new team.