Just as with most sports, a swimmer's mental state has a whole lot to do with their performance. If a swimmer is tired, has a lot on their mind, or is just getting fed up with swimming in general, it can greatly harm them when they are attempting to achieve their goals. Similarly, as a coach, I can end up in mental frenzy when I am thinking of everything on my to-do list or just getting annoyed by the swimmers (hey, it's a two-way street!). When things like this come up, I keep in mind for both myself and the swimmers
-take a deep breath and focus on the here-and-now
-do the best I can with what I have
There is no way to give 100% to the sport of swimming at all times. Swimmers themselves have school, other activities, friends, and families to focus on as well. It is important to set priorities when it comes to having a comprehensive schedule that includes swimming.
As a coach it is also important to set a priority to get to know your swimmers and understand where they come from and their environments. Much like a teacher in a classroom, a coach needs to identify the needs and struggles for each swimmer.
The most difficult time during the swim season is if and when a swimmer "hits the wall." No, not actually hitting a wall, but hitting their mental wall. They aren't dropping any time and are struggling at practice. When I swam in college, my fellow teammates and I typically hit our "walls" during our training trip, which included some of the most difficult practices of the entire year. One-by-one we would reach our mental limit, forcing us to come to our physical limit. From a swimmer's perspective, this was usually an extremely frustrating time that was never welcomed or wanted. When that "wall" is hit by a swimmer, it is important to identify this challenge and give it some time; know that the swimmer is trying his or her best and that it will take a bit of time to come back. It is also very important to encourage the swimmer and let them know as well that it will take some time to return from the "dreaded wall," but that it WILL happen.
