|
|
 |
|
|
Greetings!
As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends later this month, we wanted to take a moment to express our gratitude for you, the coaches who make U.S. Masters Swimming much more than just another exercise routine.
Swimming for Life,
|
|
 | Kick Got You Down?
|
| by Coach Scott Bay, Team Blu Frog | |
 How to improve novice swimmers' flutter kick
Recently, a coach told me about watching his novice swimmers flutter kick. Despite a lot of effort, they weren't going anywhere. The coach had tried wall kicks and a few other techniques to improve propulsion, but the swimmers' skills were not advancing. He checked to see if they were pointing their toes, and they were. He had them wear fins, but that didn't help either. What could he do to help his novice swimmers improve their flutter kick? Read more...
|
| Are Your Swimmers Registered?
|
| | |
 Early Registration Discounts
2014 member registration is now open, and USMS is again offering sponsor discounts for those members who register between November 1 and December 31. Members registering during this period will receive coupon codes via email from the following sponsors:
- Aqua Sphere: 20% off of entire order
- blueseventy: 25% off of orders $50 or more
- Colorado Time Systems: 10% off on all training products*
- FINIS: 25% off of entire order*
- Hammer Nutrition: 10% off of total purchase*
- Nike: 20% off of entire order*
- P2Life: 25% off of entire order*
- Speedo: 20% off of entire order*
- TRISWIM: 40% off of all TRISWIM, FOGGLE and TRISLIDE products
- Swimoutlet.com: 10% off USMS product & Sporti products*
- X-1 Audio: 25% off of entire order
*Certain restrictions apply, see below. All discounts expire Jan. 15, 2014
|
| USMS Online Coaching Program
|
| | |
 Apply for 2014
The USMS Online Coaching Program provides regular themed practices from qualified coaches to interested members through the USMS website. Applications for the 2014 program are now being accepted. Once again, this highly acclaimed and highly successful program will include seven different training themes: High Volume, High Intensity, Strokes & IM, Fitness for Beginners, Open Water, Triathlon, and Swimming for Expectant Mothers. Coaches who wish to participate in this program, which includes a stipend for your time, should follow these application instructions. All applications should be emailed to Erin Matthews. The application deadline is December 1, 2013.
|
| Questions from Coaches
|
| with Bill Brenner, Club and Coach Services Director |  |
What types of community events can our Masters swim program host?
Questions about growing your club, managing club business, or becoming a better coach? Club and Coach Services Director Bill Brenner has answers.
Q: My club wants to get more involved with the local community and host events. What types of community events should our Masters program consider?
A: Being a good citizen in the community can be rewarding for your members and can build goodwill with your swimming facility. Hosting community outreach events at your pool will require varying degrees of logistical planning, depending on the size and scope of the event. It's important to assemble a support team that shares in the planning and execution of the events. Don't try to do everything yourself. Have a goal of giving ownership to many volunteers. It will add to the overall success of the event when many hands are working as one.
Examples of community outreach events requiring pools:
- Adult learn-to-swim clinic
- Special Olympics
- Senior Games
- Police and Fire Games
- Wounded Warrior Project, Warrior Games
- Paralympics
|
 |
What Rule is THAT?!
|
with
Kathy Casey, USMS Rules Chair
| |
Are there any rule changes in Masters competition?
Q: Are there any rule changes regarding competition? I have heard there are some rule changes to breaststroke allowing a quick arm stroke into the wall and allowing a dolphin kick off the walls before the first arm stroke has been initiated on the pullout.
A: The stroke cycle for breaststroke has not changed. It remains one arm pull followed by one breaststroke kick, in that order (101.2.2). An incomplete cycle into the wall on turns and at the finish is allowed; that is, if the swimmer reaches the wall at the end of an arm pull and touches the wall without doing a breaststroke kick, that is not a disqualification (101.2.4). However, if an arm pull is followed by a second, quick arm pull into the wall without a kick, that is a disqualification.
The rule governing a dolphin kick after the start and after each turn in breaststroke has not changed either. The dolphin kick is not allowed prior to the initiation of the first arm pull (only high school rules have made a change regarding the dolphin kick). After the start and after each turn, one dolphin kick is permitted during or at the completion of the first arm pull. That single dolphin kick must be followed by a breaststroke kick. (101.2.4)
There have been three major rule changes governing pool competition.
Breaststroke and Butterfly: At each turn and at the finish of the race, the touch shall be made with both hands separated and simultaneously at, above, or below the water level. (Articles 101.2.4, 101.3.4, and 101.3.5)
Swimwear: Power bands and adhesive substances are not permitted. (Articles 102.12.1E and 102.13.9)
Facility Standards: The provision allowing a pool recirculation system to be turned off during competition has been deleted. (Article 107.5)
There has also been an administrative rule change that impacts pool competition.
Unattached Swimmers: All competitors in pool competition must belong to a club that is registered with a member Federation. Unattached swimmers will be assigned to UC (Unified Club). (Article 201.3.4)
All rule references are from the 2013 USMS Rule Book.
For any questions about competition rules in Part 1, contact Kathy Casey, USMS Rules Chair. For any questions about administrative rules in Parts 2 and 4-6, contact Meg Smath, USMS Legislation Chair.
|
| Certification Opportunities
|
| |
Upcoming Coach Certification Classes
Levels 1 and 2Jan. 5, 2014 Oahu, Hawaii - Online Registration Jan. 12, 2014 Maui, Hawaii - Online Registration Jan. 18, 2014 San Mateo, Calif. Feb. 24, 2014 Charleston, S.C. March 8, 2014 San Diego, Calif. Level 3 (Level II a prerequisite) 2014 dates to be announced Contact Bill Brenner for more information.
|
| USMS Coaches Needed for Worlds in Montreal
|
| | |
Help out USMS swimmers attending Worlds
If you're planning to go to Montreal for FINA Worlds Masters next year, and you're a qualified coach who is interested in helping out USMS swimmers at the meet, you can download the application. Apply today to help other Masters swimmers succeed in international competition!
|
| Club and Coach Services
|
| |
Need help getting your club up and running?
Club and Coach Services Director: Bill Brenner
Club and Coach Services Coordinator: Mel Goldstein
Free marketing materials are available for USMS programs. Caps, stickers, brochures, etc.
Small club? Just starting out? Don't have an advertising budget? We have created free templates that you can use to promote your program, your swim meets, and your open water events. |
| Masters Coaching Opportunities
|
| |
Looking for a coach? Looking for a club?
USMS maintains a discussion forum on usms.org to match coaches with the clubs that need them. The Coaching Forum has several current threads posted; check back frequently for updates. And remember, if you are hired as a coach or you hire another coach for your club, please update your posting on this helpful forum to save time for others.
|
| Please Support USMS Partners!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Media Partners
|
|
About Us
|
| |
About U.S. Masters Swimming
 U.S. Masters Swimming, founded in 1970, is a membership-operated national governing body that promotes health, wellness, fitness, and competition for adults through swimming. It does so by partnering with more than 1,500 adult swim programs across the country; promoting information via the bimonthly member magazine, SWIMMER, monthly e-newsletters, STREAMLINES, and website, usms.org; and by sanctioning and promoting pool, open water, and virtual events and competitions. More than 55,000 adults are registered members of U.S. Masters Swimming. |
| |
About STREAMLINES for Coaches
 U.S. Masters Swimming encourages all U.S. Masters Swimming coaches to subscribe to STREAMLINES for Coaches. However if you would rather not receive this update, please do not click the unsubscribe button, as that will remove you from all other USMS National Office mailings. Rather, please click on the "Update Profile/Email Address" link at the bottom of this email. Here you can select to discontinue your STREAMLINES for Coaches service or sign up for the monthly members' newsletter, STREAMLINES, and/or STREAMLINES for Volunteers, a bimonthly publication. |
| |
Early Registration Discount Code Restrictions
*Colorado Time Systems: Pace Clocks, TrainRight System and Dolphin Wireless Stopwatch. FINIS: Excluding Swim Teaching Platform and Turnmaster Pro. Hammer Nutrition: Order must meet free shipping minimums after discounts in order to receive free shipping. Nike: Does not include Nike Apparel, such as Nike warm-ups (elite warm-ups, rio II warm-ups, core fleece warm-ups), Nike shirts (legend poly stops for both men and women), Nike polo shirts, men's Nike 3-pocket fly short, or Nike sandals. Does include the Nike parkas and women's team color block short. P2Life: Does not apply to our fundraising join options. Speedo: Offer not valid on previous purchases and excludes Performance Swimwear and Accessories, all LZR Racer series, Fastskin3 series,Vanquisher Goggles, Speed Socket Goggles, SpeedoŽ Swedish Goggle 2-Pack, Liquid Storm Goggles, Hydralign Racer Goggles, Aqua V Silicone Swim Caps, Contoured Swim Paddles, Power Paddle, Training Paddles, BiofuseŽ Finger Paddle, I.M. Tech Paddle, Pull Kick, Breaststroke Fin, BiofuseŽ Fins, Short Blade Training Fin, Power Fin, Hydralign Center Snorkel and online gift certificates. This offer cannot be combined with any other offer. No Cash Value. Void where prohibited by law. Swimoutlet.com: Discount only applies to USMS and Sporti products. Free shipping on $49 and above. X-1 Audio: Discount only applies to X-1 Audio products. Excludes iPods.
|
|
|
