KIDDLE'S CORNER
VIEW FROM A COACH
TACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Elite coach Rick Kiddle tells it how it is. This issue: think tactics and perform at a higher level
I was never an exceptional pool swimmer but put me in the open water and I could (and still can) perform at a level
signifi cantly above what my pool times suggested. The reason for this is pure tactics. Open water swimming involves so much more than pool swimming – particularly mass starts, sighting and draſt ing – so developing your tactical awareness is important. But where to start? Consulting my tactics tree can help. Start with the branch that matches your current level, then apply the training and mindset that lets you climb higher. You should spend about four weeks on the lower branches, and one or two at the top of the tree. You should pick up skills on each branch that you will carry to the next one.
6. PANIC AND FEAR
Many people start here, so don’t worry – you’re not alone. Find a NOWCA-qualifi ed coach to help with your fears. A good coach will take time to help with your negative reactions. In most cases you will progress quickly once you have mastered tactics in preparation, acclimatisation, warming up, wetsuit familiarisation (gaining the confi dence that you won’t sink in a wetsuit), calm breathing techniques and basic swimming technique. This branch is about you taking control.
5. OUT OF CONTROL On this branch you are no longer scared but you are still fi ghting the water and anyone who impedes (or appears to impede) your swim. Stop! You are going to ruin your swim. Relax and focus on your own swim, not anyone else’s. Remember, if someone bumps into you it’s normally a mistake. Work on your technique and take on board some of the lessons from branch six so you can swiſt ly move on to branch four.
4. ENTRY LEVEL At this level you may just wish to swim in open water with your friends. Find a safe environment and expect to spend several weeks familiarising yourself with your wetsuit and building some basic strength and endurance through two to three outdoor swims per week. Your main objective at this level is to enjoy the open water experience and fi tness benefi ts it brings.
3. TRAINING PROGRAMME You need to start planning a progressive programme of pool and open water sessions. If you’re unsure of what sessions and intervals to use, fi nd a coach to help you. Work on technique, stroke count and swim intervals where you can maintain pace. Spend two to six weeks on this branch. When you swim in open water, warm up with the longer, slower distances (400, 750 or 1500m) but fi nish with shorter, faster eff orts of less than 400m, ready for moving up to the race branch.
RICK KIDDLE’S TACTICS TREE Performance and Competition (1) Aim: the perfect race, a personal best or age-group podium position.
Race (2) Aim: to give a solid, competitive performance
Training programme (3) Aim: to build endurance and pace awareness
Entry level (4) Aim: to enjoy being in the water with your mates for a race, challenge or wild swim
Out of control (5)
Aim: to gain control of the situation and lose defensive anger if anyone messes with you
Panic and fear (6) Aim: to get through the swim without drowning
2. RACE Plan your event with plenty of time to prepare and taper. Work on your nutrition. Join a training club. Book time with a coach. Train with other swimmers. Work on increasing your threshold pace – shorten recovery times between intervals. When in open water, warm up with short swims, then build up the distances of half, three-quarters and then full distance at race pace. Maintain threshold sets and shorter intervals in the pool such as 3x200m, 6x100m, 8x50m. Practise sighting. Practise turns and draſt ing. You will only stay on this branch for one-to-two weeks then move back to branch three.
1. PERFORMANCE AND COMPETITION To reach this branch you must be consistently in the water, measuring and monitoring every aspect of your swims. You also need to have both short- and long-term goals in place, with timescales and a plan of training needed to reach them. You don’t have to be in a club, but a coach or third eye is defi nitely going to help. Plan to stay at your peak for one-to-two weeks at a time several times during the race season. I hope you enjoy using my open water tactic tree. It is a way of
maximising your training, set ing goals, reaching potential and making your open water swim training come to life. ○
Former British triathlon champion, triathlon and swimming coach, Rick Kiddle has coached British Gas employees and other swimmers including celebrities Jodie Kidd, in her British Gas Great Swim series event, and Vernon Kay for the London Triathlon. Contact him at
rick@rickkiddle.com with your comments, questions and suggestions.
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