The first part of this is centered not on training, but on how individual RACE swimmers set their goals. The coaches have very little to do with how and what goals are set for the swimmers. We set up meetings with the swimmers at the beginning of each season and ask the swimmers what they want out of the season. The coaches will make suggestions on how to reach their goals no matter what they are. However, the ultimate decision on number of workouts and committment level falls on the shoulders of the swimmer. Whether they are 10 or 20 years old they decide on their minimum workouts and we, the staff, hold them to it.

The second component of our coaching philosophy is technique. The RACE coaches beleive that this is the single most important ingredient in fast swimming. Proper technique leads to effeciency in the water, which leads to speed. We take time each and every day to work on our form and our power. From directed drill progressions to slower intervals where swimmers can focus on what they are doing we create many opportunities to improve the swimmer's form. Through technique oriented practices we have seen vast time drops and no shoulder injuries on a team of 65.

The third and final piece to our philosophy is the training itself. Our main focus is "quality not quantity" (not as much yardage). The longest race in swimming is 20 minutes long. That is nothing. It is the equivilant of a 5K running race. We see no reason to train upwards of 60-80K yards a week to prepare for a 20 min race. The goal of our program is to train to race, not to train to train. We swim with all out effort in every single practice. We line up and race off the block, from the walls, from the middle of the pool-- anywhere. Anybody can swim mindless yardage back and forth each day. They will become really proficient at it. Unfortunately when the meet comes, those swimmers go and swim the same speed as they do every day in workout. Their bodies are not sure how to get up and go. At RACE we do it everyday. Suprisingly to some, the 30-35K a week that we train has produced 2 Olympic Trials cuts, 10 National Cuts, 5 Top 16 qualifiers and numerous state champions including distance swimmers.