Greetings!
Another new year is off and swimming with a bang. Check out all the new tips and information below to make 2014 the year your program really takes off! Swimming for Life,
Your Friends at U.S. Masters Swimming
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From High Elbow to High Shoulder Help your swimmers tap into natural core power |
We've spent a number of years preaching high elbow. There have been various interpretations of this directive, and we'll get into that shortly. But as I was working with a rather flexible athlete recently, a funny thing occurred to me: We never talk about where the shoulder should be.
Continue reading >>>
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New Year, New Goal Got goals for your team in 2014? |
As a kid you may have heard, "don't take such a big bite" during mealtime. And we've all heard the analogy of eating the elephant "one bite at a time." The same philosophy holds true for reaching your goals this year. You may be excited to go out and accomplish a couple of big goals. And in all the excitement, you suddenly want to reach them all by the end of January, but that's not really how you should approach the process or expect it to happen. Continue reading >>>
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Last Call: Worlds Coaches Use your skills to help Masters Swimmers at Worlds! |
If you're planning to go to Montreal for FINA Worlds Masters in August, and you're a qualified coach interested in helping USMS swimmers at the meet, then apply to become a USMS on-deck coach at Worlds today! As an on-deck coach, you'll have an opportunity to help Masters swimmers from around the country while getting to network and share skills with other Masters coaches. The application deadline is January 25, so don't delay.
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Track Your Swimmers The new USMS registration system makes tracking your club easier than ever |
Your club contact receives an email each time someone registers for your club, but sometimes you may want to view your entire club roster. Here's how to do it:
- Go to usms.org
- Click the "Membership" link at the very top of the page
- Select "Membership Directory" from the left side of the page
- Select your LMSC from the pull-down list and click the "submit & view members" button
Once you see the entire list, click the appropriate club or workout group link at the top and it will show just your members.
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Looking to Challenge Your Swimmers? MOST to host the 2014 Check-Off Challenge |
The Check-off Challenge is designed to motivate swimmers by encouraging them to swim 18 pool events and an open water swim during the calendar year. A fun challenge for swimmers of all ability levels. Coaches can use the Check-Off Challenge to motivate their clubs to attend meets or inspire individual swimmers to try new events. Open to all registered USMS members, and the cost is $20-$24, depending on T-shirt size, and includes shipping. Check out the Check-Off Challenge event page for more information.
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Book Your Hotel for Nationals Now! Don't get left out in the cold |
Hotels are filling up fast: Don't get left without a place to stay for the 2014 Nationwide USMS Spring National Championship, May 1-4! Select from a wide variety of host hotels within 5 to 10 minutes of the George Haines International Swim Center in Santa Clara. The Santa Clara Marriot is serving as our Headquarters Hotel for the meet and is offering a discounted rate for USMS coaches and members. Joining the Marriot are several other great hotels ranging from luxury to economy depending on your needs and budget. Throughout the meet, select host hotels will have a continuous shuttle service to and from the Swim Center. Check out our Santa Clara hotel list for options, rates, and booking information. And be sure to book your hotel by March 31 to ensure best pricing and availability.
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Do Your Swimmers FLOG? Online tracking of all their fitness activities |
Your members can track their swimming and other fitness activities via our online Fitness Logs. With this exciting online service-which is also the basis for the very popular Nike Go The Distance fitness event-you can log a wide variety of fitness activities such as swim workouts, running, weights, and yoga on your FLOG calendar and track your weekly, monthly, and annual totals online. Let your swimmers-especially new swimmers who may not be aware of it yet-know about this great tool and benefit of U.S. Masters Swimming membership.
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New Programs and Services Manager Marianne Groenings joins the USMS staff |
We're happy to introduce Programs and Services Manager Marianne Groenings, who's new to Club and Coach Services. She'll be providing education and support to existing Masters coaches and programs, and foster development of new Masters programs and educational resources.
A Chicago-area native, Marianne brings more than 25 years of professional experience in hospitality, event planning, sales, marketing, and business development.
Marianne can be reached at mgroenings@usms.org
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Questions from Coaches Bill Brenner, Club and Coach Services Director, answers your questions |
Q: What can I do to encourage 100% of the swimmers in my program to become USMS members?
A: Many programs across the country require all swimmers in their programs to be registered with U.S. Masters Swimming. Most programs allow swimmers a trial period of up to 30 consecutive days. During the trial period, coaches should explain the benefits of being a registered member of USMS and explain how a swimmer can join online.
Another option is to provide an introductory monthly fee equal to or greater than the registration fee for USMS membership and-with their permission-register the new members yourself. Make membership in USMS a benefit for your swimmers. This could be a useful tool in attracting new members and retaining existing ones. Once new members begins to see and receive the benefits of being part of a national organization, they'll be more engaged and likely to continue their participation with your program and the sport of swimming.
Questions about growing your club, managing club business, or becoming a better coach? Club and Coach Services Director Bill Brenner has answers.
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What Rule is That?! Kathy Casey, USMS Rules Chair, answers your questions |
Q: At our last Masters meet one of my swimmers asked to get an official time for the 100 fly split from the 400 IM and was told that was not allowed. What is the rule?
A: The USMS Rule Book is very clear about allowing butterfly splits from an IM event for an official time: An official time for an event or stroke can be achieved only in that event or stroke, or in an initial distance of such event or stroke (e.g., backstroke time must be achieved in a backstroke event or a butterfly time can be achieved in an individual medley event). Regardless of the stroke(s) used, times achieved in freestyle events can be recorded only as freestyle times. (103.18.2)
All rule references are from the 2014 USMS Rule Book. For any questions about competition rules in Part 1, contact Kathy Casey, USMS Rules Chair.
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Coach Certification Schedule Upcoming Coach Certification Classes |
 Levels 1 and 2
Jan. 25, 2014 Fort Wayne, Ind. - Online Registration
Feb. 8, 2014 Austin, Texas - Online Registration
Feb. 24, 2014 Charleston, S.C. - Online Registration
March 8, 2014 San Diego, Calif. - Online Registration
Sept. 17, 2014 Jacksonville, Fla.
Level 3 (Level II a prerequisite)
Sept. 17, 2014 Jacksonville, Fla.
Additional dates TBA
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Quick Links and Resources for Coaches
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About U.S. Masters Swimming
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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. Nearly 60,000 adults are registered members of U.S. Masters Swimming.
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About STREAMLINES for Coaches
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U.S. Masters Swimming encourages all U.S. Masters Swimming coaches to subscribe to STREAMLINES for Coaches. However, if you'd rather not receive this update, please do not click the "SafeUnsubscribe" link, as that will remove you from all other USMS National Office mailings. Rather, click on the "Update Profile/Email Address" link to manage your subscriptions to U.S. Masters Swimming electronic communications.
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