Has spring finally sprung? We hope so, and we hope you'll find some useful information below to build and improve your Masters program. Happy coaching!

Most swimmers who train in the pool use both the lane lines and markings on the bottom of the pool to tell them whether or not they're swimming in a straight line. With the visual feedback from these markers, swimmers can easily see when they need to make a course correction. But each time they go off course, they add just a little bit of length to an otherwise standard-length pool. The inability to swim in a straight line can cause even greater problems in an open water race.

 

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The catch position and phase of each stroke is paramount to a swimmer's success. Swimmers who improve their catch will automatically increase their power and endurance without any metabolic training. Once a great catch has been established, it can cover up a lot of other technical flaws in the stroke. 

 

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The Coaches Committee presents an exciting learning and networking experience for Masters swim coaches. The USMS National Coaches Clinic is specifically tailored for Masters coaches and presented by award-winning USMS coaches. The three-day weekend will include stroke technique workshops, classroom presentations, and multiple opportunities to network and learn from each other. More information is already posted, with online registration coming soon!

USMS presents a number of awards annually to members who have excelled in various areas. The details and recipients of each type of award can be found on our Awards page. Send in your nominations today for Speedo USMS Coach of the Year, Dorothy Donnelly Service, June Krauser Communications, and other awards.

See all the award categories on the Awards page. Nominations for all awards are due July 1 (except the Capt. Ransom J. Arthur Award, which was due on March 15). Recognize a deserving volunteer today!

 

Coaches now have an easy way to find out which of their swimmers have entered Nationals. A link on the Nationals home page leads to a list of current meet entrants. For the upcoming 2015 Spring Nationals that are being held in San Antonio, that link can be found on the event home page. 

Some facilities require their clubs or event directors to provide them with a certificate of insurance. We now have an online certificate request system. Access information about certificates of insurance and and the online from here.

 

The Coaches Committee is seeking applications for an international coaching assignment at the 2015 Pan American Masters Championship, June 17-27, in Medellin, Colombia. Both assistant and head coach positions are available, and these coaches will be responsible for supporting all USMS swimmers at the meet.

Download the complete job description and online application and submit it by April 15 to Coach Scott Bay.

Apply to be an on-deck coach and get a front row seat to all the action while helping out your fellow USMS members, coaches, and swimmers. On-deck coaches are given a special T-shirt for their participation and are a huge help to swimmers traveling to the meet without their own coach. Slots are filling fast, so sign up today if you want to participate.

The Coach Asks: I'm confused by the messages advertised by swimsuit vendors about one or two logos on a swimsuit and the American version of a suit versus the European version. Are suits with two logos legal or illegal for USMS competition?

 

Answer: Suits with two logos are legal for USMS pool competition. USMS rules do not address the number of manufacturer logos on a swim suit (102.12.2). FINA rules allow two manufacturer logos on a swimsuit, so European suits are manufactured with two logos. In the United States, high school and NCAA rules only allow one manufacturer logo, so American suits are manufactured with one logo. (USA Swimming rules follow FINA rules and allow two logos.) Shoppers have been able to find the European suits online for purchase; hence, the warning from swimsuit vendors about two logos on a suit being illegal in the U.S. for high school and NCAA competition. The FINA rules exempt Masters from the FINA logo rules (FINA Bylaw 7.1), so USMS swimwear rules do not address the number of logos allowed.

 

Remind your swimmers that USMS swimwear rules (102.12.1) do not allow modesty wear (no brief, sports bra, or jock strap under the competition suit). FINA approval stamps are not required on swimsuits for USMS competition as long as the suit meets FINA specifications (all textile in one or two pieces, knee to shoulder for women and knee to waist for men, no zippers or other fasteners except for a waist tie). Rules for open water swimwear can be found in USMS 303.7. 

 

Q: I want to start a USMS program at my local Y. What are the most important selling points I can share with my program director?

 

 

A: The three most important selling points are diversity, revenue, and community service:

 

 

• Diversity. A U.S. Masters Swimming program provides a platform for a Y to expand its adult aquatic programming. It's a program that celebrates and encourages diversity in age, gender, and ability levels. The single most important component of a successful program is having a coach on deck who understands stroke development, technique, and how to motivate each individual athlete to meet or exceed goals. The Masters coach makes swimming fun. The more fun swimmers have, the more likely the swimmer will stay in the pool and enjoy swimming as a lifelong activity. For many, this leads to adopting a healthier lifestyle outside of the pool. Masters swimming is a social group activity in and away from the pool.
• Revenue. A Masters program may be financially self-sustaining and generate revenue from program fees, retention of Y members, and the recruitment of new members. Other revenue can be generated from hosting Masters events including swim meets, stroke clinics, and fund-raising activities. USMS registered clubs are eligible to apply for a grant from the Swimming Saves Lives Foundation to develop and expand opportunities for adults to swim and learn to swim. Adult learn-to-swim lessons can enhance adult programming at the Y, while also teaching a lifesaving skill and generating revenue. The USMS Adult Learn-to-Swim Instructor Certification class is a one-day course teaching adults how to teach an adult to swim and become safer in water.
• Community service. USMS and Ys share similar values of providing resources for the continued health and wellbeing of the members of the communities they serve. Both organizations promote learning, respect, excellence, and fun for the benefit of all. Often, members of Masters programs pledge their time, talents, and financial resources by becoming advocates and benefactors of their local Ys. 

Questions about growing your club, managing club business, or becoming a better coach? Education Director Bill Brenner has answers.

Want to become a better coach? Then get certified and up-to-speed on the latest coaching techniques. Our Education Department offers certification classes for coaches who want to become Level 1, 2, or 3 certified in various cities all over the country. See the full list of class dates and locations on our Coach Certification Schedule page. 

In conjunction with our April is Adult Learn-to-Swim Month initiative, USMS has recently launched the Adult Learn-to-Swim Instructor Certification Course. This innovative, one-day course begins with several hours of classroom training in how to approach the various types of adult nonswimmers you may come across while offering lessons. After talking theory in the classroom, all attendees have an opportunity to practice what they've just learned in the pool. At the conclusion of the class, you'll be a certified USMS ALTS instructor, ready to help people who come to you for swimming lessons.

 

More information about the course is  available online along with a schedule for upcoming classes around the country. Please check the schedule frequently, as we're constantly adding new dates and locations.

 

• Education Director: Bill Brenner
• Program and Services Manager: Marianne Groenings
• Education Coordinator: Mel Goldstein
• Free marketing materials for USMS programs. Caps, stickers, brochures, etc.
• Free templates to promote your program, swim meets, and open water events
• Coaching positions and opportunities in the Coaching Forum
• Become a recognized coach

Our sponsors support you; please support them!

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.

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.