PERSONAL BEST: A SWIMMERS' WORKSHOP FOR RACING EXCELLENCE - 3 HOURS
Alternative Title: PHYSICAL AND MENTAL STRATEGIES FOR SWIMMING COMPETITIONS

The most critical features of at-competition race preparation as well as the content of racing strategies are described. Content is related to Personal Best: A Swimmer's Handbook for Racing Excellence. A workbook is also provided which focuses participants' attention on the content and activities. Research has shown that attendance at this workshop usually translates into improved racing performances. Parents are encouraged to attend. It is proposed that racing strategies can be developed by swimmers with parental assistance because the instructions of what and how to do things are so clearly defined. This constructive involvement of parents adds to a coach's credibility.

Prospective Audience

Serious swimmers older than 12 years, assistant and volunteer coaches, and parents.

1. Pre-race Activities
   • Contest build-up routine
   • Between race routines
2. Race Strategy Content
   • Segmenting races
   • Task-specific content
   • Mood word self-talk
   • Positive self-talk
   • Psychological intensification
   • Coping behaviors
   • Debriefing procedures
   • Planning a strategy
3. Using the Personal Best manual.

Materials

A master copy of a 27-page workbook which needs to be reproduced and distributed to participants will be supplied.

Reference

Rushall, B. S. (1995). Personal best: A swimmer's handbook for racing excellence. Sports Science Associates, 4225 Orchard Drive, Spring Valley, CA 91977.

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