August 5, 2025 - Aleks Fansler Meet Report & App Usage
October 5, 2025 - Aleks Fansler Meet Report & App Usage
After filming approximately 4,000 races between Middle Atlantic LSC, Indiana LSC, and Illinois LSC long-course championships, we’re going to focus in on what Zionsville Coach and GoSwim associate, Aleks Fansler, learned when looking at preparation and meet results.
Monday - August 7, 2025
Stroke counting is a quick and easy way to determine if you’re still practicing swimming, rather than just going back and forth.
https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/3043-stroke-counting
Tuesday - August 8, 2025
Tempo Trainer
When you combine stroke counting with a consistent tempo allows athletes to dial in the right tempo with the right effort level to achieve the speed that will carry them through the entire race.
https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/2962-tempo-trainer-how-and-why-to-use-them
Wednesday - August 9, 2025
Dolphins and Breakouts
How many dolphin kicks do you take to maintain the highest velocity into the breakout? You shouldn’t be guessing at this, you should know this through experimentation and data.
https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/3604-lili-start-under
Thursday - August 10, 2025
Using Data to Teach Kids
When should you start using data in your teaching? Create a discovery situation where the athlete uses gamification and data to improve. Make them find the answers.
https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/3577-using-the-goswim-app-to-teach
Friday - August 11, 2025
Data Testing Underwater Dolphins
Are MORE underwater dolphins always the best answer? It all depends on the athlete’s development, their ability, and their race.
https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/3451-data-testing-underwater-dolphins
Saturday - August 12, 2025
Back-Half Race Strategy
Do you know your strategy prior to getting in the race? While sometimes you have to react to others, it’s always good while learning racing to have a plan. Vary the plan to find out what’s best… but don’t just hope for success.
https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/282-back-half-race-strategy
Sunday - August 13, 2025
Train for Speed
If you want to go fast, you need to train fast. Convince yourself in practice that the sprints MATTER! Don’t think you’re going fast, GO FAST!
https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/354-train-for-speed
Summary
Zionsville Swim Team's Success
Glenn and Alex discussed the success of Zionsville's swim team at a recent meet, highlighting their 5th place finish with 10 state champions and a national age group record. They praised the team's professionalism, especially in handling a controversial DQ, which Alex addressed calmly with officials by reviewing video evidence. Glenn recommended a timing system provider, Swim Nerds, to Paul for the Summer League team. The conversation ended with plans to review race footage from the meet.
Analyzing Tyree's Underwater Performance
Glenn and Aleks discussed Tyree, a 14-year-old swimmer, focusing on his impressive underwater performance and breathing patterns. They analyzed data from his races, highlighting his strong underwater velocity and the importance of comparing it to his swim velocity. Aleks explained their training approach, emphasizing the need to isolate variables and focus on specific skills like underwater kicking. They also discussed the use of data analysis tools to improve Tyree's performance in practice and races.
Swimming Performance Analysis and Strategy
Glenn and Aleks discussed a swimmer's performance in the 100 and 200 fly races, noting the swimmer's bravery and unexpected victory despite a challenging finish. They analyzed the swimmer's technique, focusing on breathing patterns and the importance of consistency in training. Glenn shared a tutorial on underwater dolphin kicks and emphasized the need for data-driven race planning to optimize a swimmer's performance. They agreed to review the medley relay race next.
Swimmer's Butterfly Race Performance Analysis
Glenn and Aleks discussed a 14-year-old swimmer's performance in a 200 butterfly race, analyzing data that showed minimal difference between underwater and above-water velocity. They noted that while the swimmer was not overly aggressive underwater, she made significant improvements in her final swim, achieving a best time and demonstrating a more relaxed, fluid stroke. Aleks emphasized the importance of allowing swimmers to review their data and make adjustments, which helped the swimmer improve her pacing and performance in the race.
Swimmer's Technique and Performance Review
Glenn and Aleks discussed a 14-year-old swimmer's performance in a 200 butterfly race, noting her consistent splits and perfect technique. They praised her ability to adjust for finals and highlighted areas for improvement, such as enhancing her underwater kicking. Glenn shared an amusing experience with ChatGPT attempting to create a line drawing of the swimmer. The discussion concluded with thoughts on how to further develop the swimmer's technique and consistency in training.
Swimming Performance Strategy Discussion
Glenn and Aleks discussed strategies for improving swimming performance, emphasizing the importance of experimenting with slower turns in practice rather than during meets. They analyzed a relay swim, noting that while the team was surprised to achieve a National Age Group record in the 200 freestyle, they had initially thought they had a better chance at breaking records in the medleys. Aleks highlighted the swim's impact on team morale, describing it as a thrilling start to the session that motivated the team to continue performing well.
Enhancing 50m Freestyle Performance
Glenn and Aleks discussed the analysis of a 50-meter freestyle race, focusing on the swimmers' techniques and performance data. They highlighted the importance of small improvements in tempo and underwater kicking, noting that even slight changes can significantly affect distance per cycle and overall performance. Aleks emphasized that consistent athletes benefit from refining these minor aspects, while Glenn stressed the potential for improvement in less experienced swimmers. They concluded by discussing the importance of using data to help swimmers identify areas for improvement and set realistic goals.
Swimming Tempo and Technique Discussion
Glenn, Monty, and Aleks discussed the importance of tempo and technique in swimming, particularly in the 200 fly event. They emphasized the need to experiment with tempo trainers to find the best kicking tempo for individual swimmers, considering factors like body type and limb length. Glenn shared an example of a young swimmer who struggled with maintaining a consistent pace in the 200 breaststroke, highlighting the importance of understanding and controlling tempo. The group also reviewed a medley relay that was disqualified, noting the challenges of balancing speed and technique in relay events.
Relay DQ and Team Maturity
Aleks and Glenn discussed a disqualification (DQ) in a relay event, where a swimmer's feet coming off the block wedge led to the DQ. Aleks explained that the rule exists for safety reasons, as both feet coming off the block could cause the wedge to detach and potentially harm the swimmer or others. Despite the disappointment, Aleks was proud of how the team handled the situation, particularly their maturity in expressing emotions away from the competition pool.
Swimming Meet Filming and Analysis
Alex described an incident where a swimmer aged up during a meet, preventing them from conducting a time trial, but the team handled the situation professionally. Alex explained their filming process at meets, noting they handle filming for smaller teams while leveraging the Goswim platform for larger teams where parents can film. They discussed the benefits of allowing swimmers to analyze their races independently before discussing them with coaches, finding that this approach leads to more meaningful conversations and better learning outcomes.
IUPUI Age Group Championship Planning
Glenn and Barbara discussed the significance of hosting age group championships at IUPUI, emphasizing its historical value and the need to appreciate such facilities. They planned to cover various factors contributing to better distance per cycle in the next meeting. Glenn shared a personal anecdote about meeting Barbara at a clinic 30 years ago. They also talked about a new app for video sharing among coaches, swimmers, and parents, ensuring compliance with privacy laws. Aleks was praised for a recent performance, and the conversation ended with plans to focus on distance per stroke in the next session.