Getting More Out of Practice

Many swimmers attend the same practices, swim the same sets, and listen to the same coaches. Yet over time, some improve much faster than others.

The difference often comes down to deliberate practice versus simply going through the motions.

Some swimmers approach practice with focus and intention. Others simply complete the workout. Both swimmers finish the same number of yards, but the results look very different over time.

What Is Deliberate Practice?

Deliberate practice means practicing with purpose. Instead of swimming laps on autopilot, the swimmer focuses on specific skills and details during each part of practice.

A swimmer using deliberate practice pays attention to technique, pacing, body position, and feedback from coaches. They stay mentally engaged instead of simply trying to survive the workout.

This type of focus helps swimmers improve faster because each repetition reinforces good habits.

What Deliberate Practice Looks Like in Swimming

Deliberate practice often shows up in small details.

A swimmer might focus on:

• Tight streamlines off every wall
  Strong underwater dolphin kicks
  Holding consistent stroke counts
  Fast and controlled flip turns
  Maintaining technique during difficult sets
  Listening closely to coach feedback

These details may seem small during one practice. Repeated over months and years, they create major improvement.

What Going Through the Motions Looks Like

Most swimmers drift into autopilot sometimes. Long practices and hard sets make focus difficult.

Going through the motions often looks like this:

• Lazy walls and weak streamlines
  Poor body position during easy swimming
  Ignoring technique once tired
  Talking during instruction
  Rushing through drills without purpose

The swimmer still completes practice. They still swim the yardage. But they lose many opportunities to improve.

Small Improvements Add Up

Swimming improvement rarely comes from one huge breakthrough. Most progress happens through small improvements repeated consistently over time.

A slightly better turn. A cleaner breakout. A stronger streamline.

One small improvement may not change much today. Repeated thousands of times across a season, those details create faster and more efficient swimming.

This is why focused swimmers often continue improving steadily year after year.

What Parents Should Encourage

Parents play an important role in helping swimmers develop strong practice habits.

Instead of only asking about race times, ask questions such as:

• What did you focus on today?
• What did your coach want you to improve?
• What felt better in practice this week?

These questions encourage swimmers to think about the process of improvement rather than only the outcome.

Praise focus, effort, and attention to detail. These habits lead to long term progress in the pool.

Why Deliberate Practice Matters

Great swimmers do more than attend practice consistently. They engage with practice. They focus on details and treat each set as a chance to improve.

Over time, deliberate practice turns small daily improvements into major progress.